With his performances for Ecuador’s Independiente, Kendry Paez is making a strong statement to Chelsea. Last summer, the 16-year-old decided to join with the Blues, and in 2025, he will formally move to Stamford Bridge.
The adolescent has six Ecuadorian caps and has already made 38 appearances for Independiente total, despite his young age. Paez, a brilliant player for his country at the U17 Copa America and U20 World Cup, cost Chelsea €20 million (£17.25 million). Manager Mauricio Pochettino will probably be monitoring Paez’s development as a potential first-team backup for Cole Palmer.
In February 2023, Paez made his first team debut, becoming the youngest goal scorer and debutant in the history of the Ecuadorian top division.
Despite playing just 45 minutes, Kendry Paez was crucial to his team’s 2-1 triumph. Paez started a passing move from the right wing for Independiente’s first goal. He then ran and received the ball back on the edge of the box, where he played an inch-perfect through ball for Renzo Lopez to score. Shining Paez’s left boot during his scoring celebration, the striker expressed his gratitude.
The young player’s spectacular cross-field ball to Romario Ibarra, who increased Independiente’s advantage, brushed off one of his teammates, but he was cruelly denied a second assist. Paez was replaced at the interval, but his 45-minute performance came after the midfielder’s goal against Universidad Catolica the previous weekend.
Independence has had a great start.
