The wait to finally see Kendry Paez in a Chelsea shirt goes on. Chelsea confirmed the signing of the highly-rated teenager from Independiente del Valle in June 2023 after making a huge impression in his homeland of Ecuador.
Announcing the arrival of Paez just one month after his 16th birthday, it won’t be until the player is 18 in the summer of 2025 when he makes the move to Stamford Bridge. All at the club certainly have high hopes for the Ecuador international and he could well go on to be a major player for the team in the years ahead.
Chelsea fans have been keeping close tabs on the teenager this summer after representing his country at the Copa America in the United States. Paez was on the scoresheet in a 3-1 win over Jamaica in the group stage but Ecuador were unable to progress beyond the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of eventual winners Argentina.
Going on Paez’s ability to dribble with the ball combined with his vision and quality to open up teams with his range of passing, Chelsea appear to have a star on their hands. Paez is certainly well regarded in the game, with CIES Football Observatory ranking him incredibly highly in the top ten for infiltrator creators under the age of 21 in 70 leagues worldwide.
Infiltrator creator is a term used to define players who are particularly active when it comes to take ones and chance creation. It probably comes as no surprise to see Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal come out in top spot following an incredible year for both club and country.
The Spain Euro 2024 star leads the way with a score of 89.6 out of 100 after starring in his breakout season for the La Liga giants. Paez is next in line behind Yamal, coming out with a score of 83.8 after continuing to catch the eye for Independiente del Valle and Ecuador.
Chelsea fans will perhaps be familiar with the player in third place as it is Rennes ace Desire Doue who trails Paez with a score of 81.6. The Frenchman, who is the latest off Rennes’ incredible production line, has been mentioned regarding a summer move to Stamford Bridge after wowing in Ligue 1.
Bayern Munich, PSG and Tottenham have also been linked with the 19-year-old this summer as a big-money transfer appears to be on the cards. Juventus’ Fabio Miretti (81.2) and Oscar Gloukh (80.9) complete the top five compiled by CIES Football Observatory.
