Chelsea's first and so far only confirmed transfer of the summer, Kendry Paez, has spoken out after moving to the club. The 16-year-old, who will not join until his 18th birthday, was signed after months of talks with Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle.
It is the same side that current transfer target Moises Caicedo played for during his youth and offers a potential pathway for the player. With Caicedo now the new priority for Chelsea this summer, football.london understands, there is long-term hope that the pair of Ecuadorians will be able to play for the Blues together one day.
Despite a five-year age gap it isn't as unlikely as it might seem. Chelsea are pushing to sign the Brighton star after Roberto De Zerbi admitted that he had likely played his last game for the club, two years after making his debut. With a price tag of more than £70 million, Caicedo is evidence of the untapped potential in South America's leagues.
It is a market that Brighton have used to their advantage in recent years and is now one being looked at by Chelsea. The addition of Kendry, even at such a young age, is a big indicator as to the quality and trust being placed in the players of tomorrow.
Even after being included in his first senior international squad, the player has remained calm. “I don’t feel pressure, I am focused on Independiente, on the Libertadores and continue playing in the best way," he told ESPN.
Kendry will have the chance to make his debut for the national side as they face Bolivia and Costa Rica later this month. Having starred for his country's junior sides as well as making the step up to men's football in Ecuador, he is player that has high expectations placed upon him.
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“To get there well I have to keep working, be focused on studying. It will be something special to share things with players like Enzo [Fernandez], with other special ones. It’s wonderful, but now I’m focused on Independiente Del Valle," he continued. "There are two years to go, I know it goes by quickly and I’ll keep doing my thing here.”
Fernandez was another to go from South America to Premier League quickly after Benfica snapped him up for just £10million last year. From there he became a world champion and British record transfer within six months after Chelsea signed him for £107million. From River Plate to bossing midfields in the Champions League, Kendry has a precedent for success, even at such a young age.
As one of the most promising members of the Ecuador side he has been naturally handed tags as the new Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. There is a chance that he could yet break the late Maradona's record for being the youngest player to debut in South America. It's something he has his eye on.
“I have to keep working for what is coming, I want to be there, break another record," he explained. "It is important for me to pass a player who was very top , world champion, the best. For an Ecuadorian to break the record for a top is spectacular."
However, he doesn't like the comparisons to the two Argentine greats. “I’m Kendry, I’m going to give the name to Ecuador," he said. "I’m going to continue being me, I don’t want to be compared to Messi. He’s very special, he’s the best. I’m 16-years-old, they cannot compare me with him, because I’m in a process.
"I have things to improve and gain a lot of experience. Later, with time, perhaps with what I win, maybe with Kendry Paez, the Ecuadorian. It’s me and no one else.”
For Chelsea they appear to have signed a mature player for his age and will be boosted by his early appearance in the national team. They have similar hopes for talented Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos - another player loaned back to South America this season - and will be quietly dreaming of seeing the duo on the field together, perhaps alongside Caicedo.
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