- A then 16-year-old Paez was admitted to a strip club with teammates in March
- The Ecuadorian prodigy was spotted at a party for the second time this year
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Chelsea wonderkid Kendry Paez has been warned by his national team manager about his off-field behavior after being involved in a second party scandal this year.
Paez, who will sign for Chelsea for £17.2 million once he turns 18 in May 2025, was at the center of the controversy that engulfed Ecuador’s national team in March when the federation threatened to ax several senior stars for taking over the then age of 16. year old to a New York strip club during an international break.
Videos showed Paez visiting the club with teammates Robert Arboleda and Gonzalo Plata. His presence raised alarm because the teen was a minor, and the law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from attending.
Ahead of Ecuador’s upcoming international matches, head coach Sebastian Beccacece has seen fit to advise the rising star to tone down his extracurricular activities after he was reportedly caught partying at a nightclub again.
‘I have experience with him. I trust that, but I do not ignore what is happening on social networks or at his club.’ He is quoted by Studio Futbol in Ecuador. ‘It is my responsibility to be aware of this.
Chelsea wonderkid Kendry Paez has been warned about his off-field behavior after being caught partying for the second time this year
Ecuador head coach Sebastian Beccacece said the youngster must learn to deal with the pressure that comes with his higher profile
‘But my experience with him has made me empathetic. He is very talented and he knows he has to learn to deal with this, especially now that he is being sold to a club and is part of the national team.
‘He has been important in daily practice. He was important when he featured against Brazil and stood out against Peru, hitting from outside and connecting well with Pervis. I would like him to play outside, but that is not possible due to age restrictions. But I paid attention to him and he respected us.’
Earlier this year, images emerged of players partying in New York after Ecuador suffered a 2-0 friendly defeat to Italy.
Ecuador’s national federation confirmed that players had been given time off following their win over Guatemala two days earlier.
The federation condemned the footage, saying it was contrary to its “values and principles”, before warning that players risked future call-ups to the national team.
Chelsea wonderkid Kendry Paez, then 16 years old, was allegedly taken to a New York strip club by team-mates from Ecuador despite being underage
A video showed Ecuador star Robert Arboleda throwing money at a woman in the nightclub
“Given the facts that are publicly known, the FEF says the following: The official delegation had free time on Friday, March 22 from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., a schedule that was fully respected,” said a statement from the Ecuadorian Football Federation.
“Images of events contrary to the values and principles that we as an institution defend and promote have been circulated, which will be the subject of analysis for future calls.
“We reiterate our commitment to Ecuadorian football.”
Chelsea agreed a deal for the talented youngster from Independiente del Valle in the summer of 2023, when he was still just 16.
In October last year he became the youngest South American ever to score in a World Cup qualifier – a goal assisted by future Blues teammate Moises Caicedo.
The 17-year-old has been selected by his national coach for the upcoming matches
As a left-footed midfielder-winger, Paez has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City and several other European clubs scouted him extensively before Chelsea secured his signature, with Paez continuing to learn English before his arrival.