Talents Calendar
Ray Kendry Páez Andrade: A reputation that sounds prefer it was generated by the pc recreation Football Manager. But Kendry Páez is an actual participant, even when his brief profession and performances appear unreal. The Ecuadorian wonderkid has a vibrant future forward of him, which Chelsea secured for a deal value as much as €20 million. Chelsea beat out Borussia Dortmund on the final minute. But one factor after one other.
Páez was born within the harbour metropolis Guayaquil, the place he began taking part in aged 5 at Aacedmia Alfaro Moreno. Founded by the previous Argentine nationwide group participant Alfaro Moreno, the membership has a cooperation with Barcelona SC the place the 59-year-old is the membership president. Aged eight, Páez went on trial on the membership however based on Moreno, it was too tough to pay a big charge for such a younger participant.
As a end result, Páez opted to hitch metropolis rivals CS Emelec. After a brief intermezzo at CS Patria, he then joined Independiente del Valle as an 11-year-old, the place his improvement would undergo the roof. He shortly dribbled and scored his manner into the notebooks of high golf equipment world wide whereas taking part in for the academy of the 2019 and 2022 Copa Sudamericana winners.
In the summer time of 2022, Páez led IDV to the title on the well-known Copa Milo Mitad del Mundo youth event. The ahead scored a brace within the closing, convincing the scouts of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Borussia Dortmund that he was the true deal. Shortly after, Páez was voted one of the best participant on the Next Generation Trophy in Salzburg. Independiente beat the academy groups of Inter Milan and RB Leipzig however misplaced the ultimate to Yeelen Olympique (1-2) from Mali.
Dortmund among the many groups – Chelsea received the race
At this stage, Dortmund have been already very within the participant. The Black and Yellows have been as soon as once more early within the race and, based on the Ruhr Nachrichten, have been adamant to signal the Ecuadorian expertise. That winter, Dortmund’s decision-makers believed that they might wrap up a deal shortly. But the ahead continued his unbelievable ascent, shortly rising on the scene with IDV’s senior group.
In February, he made his debut on matchday 1 of the 2023 season, aged simply 15 years 9 months, within the LigaPro Sere A recreation in opposition to Mushuc Runa SC. But not solely did he make his debut, Páez additionally scored the ultimate purpose within the 3-1 victory. That purpose confirmed all his qualities: as he acquired a tough cross from a brief distance contained in the field, he managed to manage the ball and curled in an extended loop over the goalkeeper into the left nook of the purpose—qué golazo!
Shortly after, Páez led Ecuador’s U17 to a second-place end on the South American Championship, the place he was instantly concerned in eight targets. He was then additionally a cornerstone of the U20 group that participated on the World Cup in May the place they have been eradicated within the spherical of 16, however Páez managed to be instantly concerned in 4 targets. Aged 16 and 22 days, Páez became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the U20 World Cup when he scored within the 9-0 victory over Fiji.
It was, due to this fact, not stunning that Dortmund acquired ever extra competitors for the participant. The unimaginable potential of the participant meant that Europe’s monetary elite now turned serious about Páez. “We have received several offers for him, from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United and, well, Chelsea, who showed the most interest,” Independiente CEO Santiago Morales mentioned. Chelsea beat out all different presents and met all monetary calls for.
Talents Calendar 2022: How have final 12 months’s skills developed?
Just a couple of days after the World Cup exit, Chelsea introduced that that they had signed Páez for the summer time of 2025, when the participant will flip 18. The switch charge can attain €20m. Chelsea simply beat out Borussia Dortmund. “Everything was booked to travel to Borussia Dortmund,” Páez’s father Ray mentioned.
Páez is now anticipated to proceed his improvement with out strain at Independiente earlier than transferring to England. Without strain means, Independiente have the liberty to begin Páez instantly or convey him from the bench, or relaxation him totally. Domestically, Páez has scored 4 targets in 22 video games however has additionally managed 5 appearances within the Copa Libertadores. He is a part of an Independiente squad that has already received the Recopa Sudamericana and the Supercopa Ecuador this season and is the Ecuadorian championship closing in opposition to LDU Quito.
Páez is a file setter in Ecuador – Praise from all sides
In September, Páez made his debut for the Ecuadorian national team. “The truth is that I am very happy to play together with young players from Europe,” Páez mentioned. “I am very happy about being nominated because that is something very spectacular for a player of my age and my career.” On September 12, Páez made his beginning XI debut within the World Cup qualifier in opposition to Uruguay (2-1). Aged 16 and 4 months, Páez is now the youngest participant behind Diego Maradona, the second youngest participant in South America to play a World Cup qualifier for his nation.
But Páez additionally set a file. Against Uruguay, he assisted the profitable purpose, after which a couple of days later, he scored the lead within the 2-1 victory over Bolivia. Páez, due to this fact, turned the youngest participant to attain and help in South American World Cup qualifying. As a end result, Páez has performed his manner into the primary XI of nationwide group coach Félix Sánchez Bas and will play a big function within the upcoming Copa América within the United States.
With all that in thoughts, Chelsea’s giant funding ought to repay. But why have been Chelsea prepared to pay such an enormous charge for a 16-year-old within the first place? “It is 100% due to his potential and because the Ecuadorian market has been growing so quickly,” South American knowledgeable and host of the Tactical Manager YouTube channel Filippo Silva mentioned to Transfermarkt. “They have been doing a tremendous job in Ecuador. Plus, he is still cheaper than comparable Brazilian talent. For example, he is just as highly rated as Endrick but will cost just 1/3 of the price (Real Madrid paid €35m for the Brazilian but including bonuses, that deal can grow to €72m).”
“I do, however, wonder whether Kendry joining Chelsea was the best move,” Silva mentioned. “The club is a mess, and there is a risk that he could join their loan army. Nonetheless, I think he has a bright future.” In truth, his super expertise may make Páez successful regardless of transferring to a membership that finds itself in a really tough state of affairs on and off the sector. “He is a lefty attacking midfielder; he has all the technical tools and is fairly athletic for his age,” Silva added. “Which is why he is capable of playing with grown men already.”
Talking to specialists about Páez, one title that’s talked about as a comparable is Argentine winger Ángel di María. “Páez is talented, with a great technique, great one-v-one, and he likes to create magic whenever he can,” Transfermarkt Area Manager and South America knowledgeable Samuel Vázquez Rivas. “Despite his small size, his influence in attack is transcendental, and he manages to destroy opposing defenses, at least in his youth categories.” Another facet that will get highlighted is his capacity to supply from set items and taking part in on the heart of the park comfortable.”
Teammates agree with this evaluation. “As a footballer, he is a very creative player,” U17 teammate Allen Obando mentioned. “Sometimes, when he has the ball, you don’t know what he is going to do with it,” added Obando. “He has the potential to be better than Lionel Messi and Neymar, but much will depend on him and the people around him,” former nationwide group participant Carlos Tenorio mentioned when Páez was simply 15. “He is only 15, and it isn’t common to see players at that age with such an enormous personality. Players like him aren’t born every day, and it is, therefore, difficult to compare him with anyone because that puts them under pressure when pressure is what we should avoid.”
Páez doesn’t wish to be in comparison with Messi & Co.
Indeed, Páez doesn’t just like the comparisons. Teammates at CS Patria usually in contrast him with Ángel Di María, calling him Dima or Di María. But his inspiration is Messi and Ecuador’s Gonzalo Plata. “I don’t want to be compared with Messi because he is something very special,” Páez mentioned. “He is the best.”
“I am still a project and have to improve and collect experience,” Páez mentioned. “I don’t want to be compared to others. I want others to become like me. I am Kendry, and I will give my name to Ecuador; I will always remain myself. I don’t think that I am a big star, I want to remain humble. Perhaps one day I will become a big star player, but I am only 16; who knows what will happen.”
Up subsequent is a visit to London. A number of days in the past, he acquired his visa to journey to the United Kingdom, permitting him to go to his future membership. “The club is taking care of him at the moment,” Chelsea supervisor Mauricio Pochettino mentioned. “He will soon travel here to England to spend time with us, to get to know us better so that he gets to understand what Chelsea is all about. “This is an uncommon state of affairs that wants lots of consideration as a result of he’s a younger boy and, with every thing he’s going via, there may be lots of temptation and lots of danger that every thing that’s optimistic for him immediately can shortly flip adverse, which is why the eye from everybody at Chelsea is on high of his state of affairs and his household with each single element in order that he can arrive to Chelsea sooner or later and he can carry out in the best way we predict he can on account of his expertise.”
The anticipation is very large at Chelsea and Páez. “It is something very special to play with players like Enzo Fernández, who is a World Cup winner,” Páez mentioned. “But right now, I am focused on IDV, and then, in two years, I will join Chelsea. That is the goal I am working for right now.”
From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2006 and 2007. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.
