Who is Kendry Paez? Chelsea complete signing of Ecuadorian wonderkid set to join in 2025 (Image: (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images))
There isn’t much to get excited about in a September international break – there aren’t even any upcoming international tournaments to get hyped about. But this fortnight has a potentially historic milestone taking place for a Chelsea player – albeit one who has yet to wear the Blue shirt.
The signing of 16 year old Kendry Paez was rather lost in the chaos of the summer, as we hoovered up a host of wonderkids from South America.
The Ecuadorian has been a regular for Independiente del Valle since he was 15, and has been called up to the senior Ecuador squad for their games against Argentina and Uruguay over the next two weeks.
As “Chels HQ” pointed out, if he appears for them in either game he will becomes the youngest South American international ever. That’s an impressive record in itself, but even better when you realise the man whose record he would be taking would be Diego Maradona.
Who is Kendry Paez?
Born in 2007, Ray Kendry Paez Andrade has made a name for himself in the youth team at Independiente del Valle. The left-footed midfielder has made six senior appearances at club level, scoring one goal.
There have been claims that the teenager will ‘smash’ the Ecuador transfer record currently held by the deal that saw Moises Caicedo move to Brighton in 2021. Last year, Paez was the Player of the Tournament in the Next Generation Trophy and has since been the subject of a big move to Europe.
According to El Universo, the midfielder scored 39 goals in 106 games from 2018 and 2022 and has been a regular throughout del Valle’s youth teams. But it isn’t just at club level where he has impressed, with him already receiving a call-up to the under-17s squad – where he has three goal contributions in three games.
He continued his impressive upwards trajectory during the U20 World Cup in Argentina. The attacking midfielder featured in all three of Ecuador’s group games, scoring and assisting in the 9-0 win over Fiji, becoming the youngest player ever to score in the competition.
Does he fit Chelsea’s transfer strategy?
Quite simply, yes. As mentioned above, the number of young players signed in the last six months demonstrates the club’s desire to prepare for what the future holds. It’s been labelled as the ‘Vision 2030′ model – Paez will only be 23 by then.
Speaking on the Blues’ strategy, director of football development and operations Neil Bath said in June: “It involves our board and owner, who are keen to hear our innovative and creative ideas, which will see us kick on for the next five to 10 years.
“I can assure people that we will not rest on our laurels of having boys [from the academy] involved in Champions League success. It’s important to set out what we are doing in the short-term, but also to have a long-term vision and direction of where we want our academy to be in the future. That is always the main focus.”
And, technical director Christopher Vivell said: “Chelsea are building the most exciting project in global football and I’m extremely proud to be joining the club. There is so much potential for the club to continue to succeed, develop and grow.
“Under the new ownership, Graham Potter and the broader sporting team, there is a clear and sustainable philosophy underpinned by performance analysis, data and innovation. I am looking forward to playing a part in that.”
Soucre: chelsea-news.co
