Chelsea have just made a big decision ahead of Club World Cup and it makes absolutely no sense

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It is an exciting time for Chelsea as this year’s Conference League winners gear up for the Club World Cup, which begins this weekend.

Chelsea supporters may even get to see new signing Liam Delap make his debut when Enzo Maresca‘s side take on Los Angeles FC on Monday.

Delap reported to Cobham a bit earlier than the rest of the Chelsea team, so the striker looks eager to make a good first impression.

He will be included in the travelling squad, but several names are set to miss out and the decision not to take one of those individuals is truly baffling.

• READ MORE: Incoming Chelsea star Kendry Paez’s brilliant reaction to Blues qualifying for the Champions League next season

Kendry Paez set to be left out of Club World Cup squad

Many Chelsea fans would have been hoping to see Kendry Paez at the Club World Cup. The attacking midfielder has finally been allowed to join Chelsea after turning 18 last month.

However, it is being reported that Paez has been excluded from Chelsea’s squad for the tournament, with the Blues planning on sending him out on loan to Strasbourg.

At 18, though, Paez is the Blues’ future. It makes little sense not starting his integration now while taking Christopher Nkunku instead.

The Frenchman is unlikely to be at Chelsea for much longer. Juventus are interested in Nkunku, and there is an expectation that he will leave this summer.

His spot could have easily gone to Paez, who could have provided cover for Cole Palmer in the No.10 position. But that is clearly not the direction that the club want to go in.

How Chelsea fans have reacted to Kendry Paez snub

It is fair to say that some Chelsea supporters are not happy with the news that Paez will not be on the plane to the US.

One Chelsea fan on X said: “I’m sad we won’t get to see Kendry Paez play for Chelsea at the Club World Cup.”

Another posted: “Really don’t get this still. You’re gonna take players like Nkunku who have said they want to go and are going to go but you won’t give players like Paez a chance?”

As things stand, then, Paez is unlikely to make his Chelsea debut until the 2026/27 season. It is a shame, as the Club World Cup could have been a great platform for him to prove himself.