Chelsea may have found next Cole Palmer as wonderkid sends Mauricio Pochettino clear message

Kendry Paez is sending a clear message to Chelsea with his performances for Ecuadorian side Independiente. The 16-year-old agreed to sign for the Blues last summer and will officially head to Stamford Bridge in 2025.

Despite his age, the teenager has already made 38 appearances for Independiente overall and earned six caps for Ecuador. A standout star for his country at the U17 Copa America and U20 World Cup, Chelsea paid €20m (£17.25m) for Paez and manager Mauricio Pochettino will likely be keeping an eye on the left-footed attacking midfielder’s progress as he could provide a useful understudy to first-team star Cole Palmer.

Paez became the youngest debutant and goal scorer in Ecuadorian top-flight history when making his first team bow in February 2023, aged 15. The prospect has enjoyed a similarly successful start to the new season, showcased by his display against Mushuc Runa on Thursday.

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Kendry Paez only featured for 45 minutes but played a significant role in his side’s 2-1 victory. For Independiente’s opening goal, Paez kick-started a passing move from the right flank, continuing his run and receiving the ball back on the edge of the box to play an inch-perfect through ball for Renzo Lopez to score. The striker showed his appreciation in his goal celebration by shining Paez’s left boot.

The teenager was also cruelly denied a second assist after his impressive cross-field pass brushed off one of his teammates on the way to Romario Ibarra, who doubled Independiente’s lead. Paez was substituted at half-time but his 45-minute display followed on from the midfielder scoring against Universidad Catolica last weekend.

Independiente have enjoyed a strong start to the new Serie A season, sitting second in the table on 19 points after remaining unbeaten for the first nine games. Paez has made five league starts, featuring seven times overall, and only missed the other two games due to being included in Ecuador’s senior squad for the March international break.