Kendry Paez: The Chelsea wonderkid who became the youngest South American to score in a World Cup qualifier

Chelsea wonderkid Kendry Paez is a name you’ll likely hear a lot in the years to come.

At 16 years and 161 days old, he became the youngest South American to score in a World Cup qualifying match when he scored Ecuador’s opener in a 2–1 victory against Bolivia on Thursday.

The teenager produced a composed finish after being set up by Moises Caicedo. This echoes Michael Owen sent through on goal by David Beckham at Saint-Etienne against Argentina in France 1998. Of Owen sending Wayne Rooney free of the last Croatian defender in Lisbon during Euro 2004.

Can he finish? You bet he can. Taking to social media afterwards, Paez wrote: “I’m having unforgettable moments.”

The boy dubbed Ecuador’s new ‘jewel’ is already the youngest match-maker and goalscorer in his country’s top-flight, scoring on his debut at just 15 years old. He led Ecuador to the final of this year’s South American U17 Championship and holds the record title for being the youngest to score at the FIFA U20 World Cup.

Paez is already breaking records, brimming with class and potential, but he can’t make his Blues debut for at least 19 months.

Under current FIFA rules, which came into force in January 2021 following the UK’s exit from the EU, Premier League clubs cannot sign foreign players before the age of 18. Paez could make his first Chelsea appearance no earlier than May 2025.

So who is the prodigy who lit up the final round of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers?

“My name is Kendry…I’m going to name Ecuador”

Chelsea agreed a deal to sign Paez from Independiente del Valle in June for €20m (£17.27m).

The striker, who turned 16 last May, will move to Stamford Bridge after his 18th birthday, meaning he will likely join the Blues in the summer of 2025.

Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s second city, in 2007, Paez joined Independiente del Valle’s academy in Sangolqui at the age of 11, a suburb of the capital Quito, about 260 kilometers to the north.

The move was a huge sacrifice that helped shape his character from a young age, a tenacity that, along with his talent, he hopes will take him to the top of the sport.

Gonzalo Plata, 22, is six years older, but the player credits his compatriot as having inspired his career, as he also hails from the same city and played for Independiente before joining Al Sadd in Qatar.

Paez is now considered one of South America’s brightest talents, but he is happy to continue playing in the Ecuadorian elite this season.

In an interview with ESPN in June, Paez said he had blocked his move to Stamford Bridge until his 18th birthday.

“I don’t feel any pressure, I focus on Independiente, on the Libertadores and on playing in the best way possible.

“To get there I have to continue working, focusing on my studies. It will be something special to share things with players like Enzo (Fernandez), with other special ones.

“It’s wonderful, but now I’m focusing on Independiente Del Valle. There are two years left, I know it goes by quickly and I’m going to continue doing my thing here.

“My name is Kendry, I’m going to name Ecuador. I’m going to continue to be myself, I don’t want to be compared to Messi.

“He is very special, he is the best. I am 16 years old, they cannot compare me to him, because I am in a process. I have things to improve and I have a lot of experience . Later, over time, maybe with what I earn, maybe as Kendry Paez, the Ecuadorian. It’s me and no one else.”

What is the feeling at home?

Paez has been making waves for some time in Ecuador, a country not known for producing world-class talent. Naturally, that perception is already changing with the emergence of Moises Caicedo and his subsequent sale from Brighton to Chelsea for a British record fee of £115 million.

This only increased the weight on Paez’s shoulders to become the next hottest property.

It was during consecutive youth tournaments in the summer of 2022 that he became known to the world. In July, Paez starred as Independiente’s U18s won the Copa Milo.

Scouts from Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund saw him score twice in the final against Atletico Nacional of Colombia.

Not content, he was then rewarded as outstanding player at the 2022 Next Generation Trophy in Salzburg, where Independiente’s U15s beat the youth teams of Inter Milan and RB Leipzig before losing in the final.

Paez showed off his natural abilities with a stunning lob from the halfway line.

In February this year, he made his senior debut for Independiente, becoming the youngest debutant and goalscorer in the Ecuadorian top flight. A first participation in the Copa Libertadores – a victory against Corinthians – followed in May.

So when he made his international debut for La Tricolor against Uruguay on September 12, it felt like a long time despite being just 16 years and 131 days old.

Indeed, Paez was just days away from snatching a long-standing record from Argentine legend Diego Maradona. Unsurprisingly, he made the most of his 70 minutes on the pitch, providing the assist on Felix Torres’ winning goal in a 2-1 triumph.

Where does he play?

Paez tends to operate on the right side of an attacking trio, but he can also play against a forward. He is left-handed and capable of playing on both shoulders. The boldness and style associated with South American footballers is evident, but Paez often manages to look casual without ever being absent.

His willingness to take control and accept responsibility belies his younger years.

What is encouraging for Chelsea fans is that there already appears to be a blossoming relationship with Caicedo, who provided the assist for Paez’s international goal.

Chelsea currently have Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke and Mykhaylo Mudryk in many areas, but Paez will relish the competition and learn from those who have spent their careers plying their trade in Europe and the Premier League.

A fearless dribbler nicknamed ‘Di Maria’ at Independiente due to his similar style of play, Chelsea beat off competition from Dortmund and Man Utd to complete his signing. The move aligns with the club’s recent transfer policy of recruiting the best young talent in world football.

After scoring Independiente’s first goal with a superb free kick in the 2-0 win over Gualaceo before the international break, coach Martin Anselmi said: “Since everyone is talking about Kendry Paez, the main task for us as a coach and his teammates must take care of him.

“The main thing you have to do is maintain balance, train better and better, train for your future, which is going to be very important. It will take it to other limits.

“The first thing to do is to keep it away from what everyone is talking about because all that noise that can go around will always be harmful, whether they speak well or badly.”

But if Paez continues to take the international stage by storm, the noise will only intensify.