Chelsea wonderkid told he can be better than Lionel Messi

The concept of not putting pressure on young players clearly isn’t so common in Ecuador. Just look at former international turned pundit Carlos Tenorio, who has pumped the tyres of Chelsea’s Kendry Paez to near explosion. GettyPaez, who is yet to play for Chelsea, has been given the highest possible comparison[/caption] Talking about the attacking midfielder, who recently joined Strasbourg on loan, the 50-time international compared Paez to the man many consider to be the greatest of all time. He told L’Equipe: “He has everything to be better than Leo Messi, better than Neymar, but it depends on him and his entourage. “It’s the first time I’ve seen a player with these characteristics. I think he has everything to become one of the most important players in world football.” So far in his short career, the 18-year-old Paez has yet to make a club appearance outside of his home country, but he does have two goals in 18 appearances for Ecuador. He will now leave his homeland for France, with Chelsea sending a number of their many talented youth team players to Strasbourg who are also owned by their BlueCo group. Who is Kendry Paez? Chelsea initially announced his signing in the summer of 2023, agreeing a £17.5million deal with Independiente del Valle. Due to his age, Paez wasn’t allowed to officially move until this summer, but had no problems at all finding a way to still shine on the big stage. Just months after his switch he scored for his country’s senior squad, and broke an incredible record in doing so. His effort made him the youngest ever South American to score in a World Cup qualifier, overtaking the aforementioned Messi and his fellow legendary Argentine Diego Maradona. Paez is part of Chelsea’s clear youth policy Paez was just 16 years and 161 days old at the time, but such an age isn’t unusual at Chelsea. Paez still doesn’t make the list of Chelsea’s most expensive teen signings Paez has been tearing up South America, also with new Chelsea teammate Moises CaicedoAFP Since the Todd Boehly fronted Clearlake Capital purchased the London club in June, snapping up the best teen talent has been a key part of their transfer strategy. The Blues will welcome Brazilian Estevao Willian to their squad this summer after agreeing a £29m deal with Palmeiras last summer, while countryman Andrey Santos also joined and impressed at Strasbourg last season. Outside of South America there was also a double swoop at European talent factory Sporting, with Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo signing earlier this year in a combined £62.4m deal. Estevao caught the eye at the Club World Cup, and even was part of an amusing exchange with Cole Palmer. Palmer is also aware of Paez, recently mentioning that he’d seen the young Ecuadorian use his ‘cold’ celebration. Messi may also remember him too, having swapped shirts with the teen when their two nations faced off last summer in a friendly that Argentina won 1-0. GettyKendry has already played elite football at international level, taking on Messi[/caption] Enzo Maresca’s side have continued their youth policy this summer too, most recently spending £35.5m to sign 19-year-old Jorrel Hato from Ajax. Before that they forked out £48.5m for Jamie Gittens, who was just a year old at 20 upon his departure from Borussia Dortmund.

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Chelsea wonderkid told he can be better than Lionel Messi

The concept of not putting pressure on young players clearly isn’t so common in Ecuador.

Just look at former international turned pundit Carlos Tenorio, who has pumped the tyres of Chelsea’s Kendry Paez to near explosion.

Paez, who is yet to play for Chelsea, has been given the highest possible comparison[/caption]

Talking about the attacking midfielder, who recently joined Strasbourg on loan, the 50-time international compared Paez to the man many consider to be the greatest of all time.

He told L’Equipe: “He has everything to be better than Leo Messi, better than Neymar, but it depends on him and his entourage.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen a player with these characteristics. I think he has everything to become one of the most important players in world football.”

So far in his short career, the 18-year-old Paez has yet to make a club appearance outside of his home country, but he does have two goals in 18 appearances for Ecuador.

He will now leave his homeland for France, with Chelsea sending a number of their many talented youth team players to Strasbourg who are also owned by their BlueCo group.

Who is Kendry Paez?

Chelsea initially announced his signing in the summer of 2023, agreeing a £17.5million deal with Independiente del Valle.

Due to his age, Paez wasn’t allowed to officially move until this summer, but had no problems at all finding a way to still shine on the big stage.

Just months after his switch he scored for his country’s senior squad, and broke an incredible record in doing so.

His effort made him the youngest ever South American to score in a World Cup qualifier, overtaking the aforementioned Messi and his fellow legendary Argentine Diego Maradona.

Paez is part of Chelsea’s clear youth policy

Paez was just 16 years and 161 days old at the time, but such an age isn’t unusual at Chelsea.

Paez still doesn’t make the list of Chelsea’s most expensive teen signings

Paez has been tearing up South America, also with new Chelsea teammate Moises Caicedo

Since the Todd Boehly fronted Clearlake Capital purchased the London club in June, snapping up the best teen talent has been a key part of their transfer strategy.

The Blues will welcome Brazilian Estevao Willian to their squad this summer after agreeing a £29m deal with Palmeiras last summer, while countryman Andrey Santos also joined and impressed at Strasbourg last season.

Outside of South America there was also a double swoop at European talent factory Sporting, with Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo signing earlier this year in a combined £62.4m deal.

Estevao caught the eye at the Club World Cup, and even was part of an amusing exchange with Cole Palmer.

Palmer is also aware of Paez, recently mentioning that he’d seen the young Ecuadorian use his ‘cold’ celebration.

Messi may also remember him too, having swapped shirts with the teen when their two nations faced off last summer in a friendly that Argentina won 1-0.

Kendry has already played elite football at international level, taking on Messi[/caption]

Enzo Maresca’s side have continued their youth policy this summer too, most recently spending £35.5m to sign 19-year-old Jorrel Hato from Ajax.

Before that they forked out £48.5m for Jamie Gittens, who was just a year old at 20 upon his departure from Borussia Dortmund.