Chelsea have secured the futures of a number of young talents since Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali took over at the club, with there plenty of excitement over the addition of Kendry Paez.
Chelsea secured a deal for Paez from Independiente Del Valle, and are making strides for him to be ready to make the step up to European football as soon as next season.
The Blues have requested Paez moves early ahead of his expected joining date which is this summer in order to get used to living in a new continent.
Despite only being 17 years of age, the midfielder has already made 17 appearances for the senior Ecuador national team, frequently playing alongside current blue Moises Caicedo.
Paez broke Pele’s record for being the youngest player in South American football to register an assist for their country, with that being just one of the achievements he already has in his young career.
Photo by Franklin Jacome/Getty Images
Photo by Franklin Jacome/Getty Images
Kendry Paez not currently being expected to cover for Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea
Paez was expected to become a first team player as soon as next season, with Estevao Willian also joining up following his signing.
While Chelsea have plans for Estevao already under Enzo Maresca, the situation involving the Ecuadorian is a little less clear.
Recent reports stated that the Blues are planning for Paez to be used in the same position as Enzo Fernandez, linking up between the midfield and attack.
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However, Simon Phillips has stated that all options are currently open as far as his future is concerned, including a loan to fellow BlueCo owned club Strasbourg.
He said on his Substack: “I’d ignore anything being put out about plans this summer for players such as Kendry Paez right now. There are a lot of things that need to happen such as player sales and other loans moves etc, so the talk of him being an understudy for Enzo Fernandez, who plays as an 8 and Paez is a 10, has been shelved to me by sources.
“Nothing at all has been decided yet for Paez. Although a loan move away is still very much a real option, with Strasbourg mentioned to me by a couple of top SPTC sources this weekend.
“Another plan being discussed is a potential English loan move for Paez if the foreign loan spots are being used and a good domestic loan comes up.
“However, our sources say that all options are still open and Paez could also stay in the squad if he is needed there and feels he will get significant game time. Remember, the goal on his side is to play football just as Andrey Santos wants to.”
Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Kendry Paez may be worrying about Chelsea future
Despite the brilliance of the young players Chelsea have already signed, the Blues show no signs of slowing down in their project.
They have already secured the signings of Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon, with the latter expected in the first team squad as soon as next season.
As Chelsea continue to monitor talents in all positions, Paez may begin to worry that his place in the side will be under immediate threat by the time he has even played his first game at Stamford Bridge.