Chelsea Outpaces Man Utd for Ecuadorian Starlet Paez | OneFootball

The Dawn of a New Era: Chelsea Clinches First Pochettino-Era Deal, Beating Manchester United

In an enthralling coup that symbolises the dawn of the Mauricio Pochettino era at Chelsea, the London side has outmanoeuvred their perennial rivals, Manchester United, to acquire the signature of teenage prodigy Kendry Paez.

A £20 Million Triumph Over Manchester United

The Blues, who initially secured the deal for the youthful star on the very day former boss Graham Potter was let go, have now received confirmation from Paez’s home outfit, Independiente del Valle. The Ecuadorian club has verified that the promising midfielder is set for the journey of a lifetime to the heart of English football, Stamford Bridge.

This signature is poised to be the first of many under the helm of Mauricio Pochettino. The ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager is anticipated to grace the UK this week from Spain, primed to put pen to paper for his new role and lay out the blueprint for his tenure.

Kendry Paez: A Generational Talent

Amid the heavy interest from footballing giants like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea emerged victorious in the tussle for Paez’s signature. The 16-year-old Ecuadorian has caught the eye of many pundits who refer to him as a ‘generational talent’, an epithet testament to his exceptional abilities as one of South America’s most promising talents.

Yet, due to regulatory hurdles, Paez won’t be donning the Chelsea blue until he celebrates his 18th birthday in May 2025. Such regulations apply to all South American footballers aiming to carve out a prosperous career in Europe.

The Rise of a Football Star

Paez, a flourishing attacking midfielder who is currently representing Ecuador at U17 level, is rapidly gaining prominence in his native club Independiente del Valle, having scored on his league debut in February. His performances haven’t gone unnoticed.

In an interview with El Canal del Futbol, as cited by Ole, Santiago Morales, a club official said, “We received some offers for him from Borussia (Dortmund), Manchester (United) and well, Chelsea who have been the team that showed the most interest. Officials from their (Chelsea’s) team and the doctor came to carry out some tests.”

The teenager has been featured regularly on the international stage, boasting five goals in 13 appearances for Ecuador’s U17s. Moreover, his creativity cannot be overlooked, contributing multiple assists, with a standout performance in Ecuador’s 4-0 thrashing of Colombia in the U17 South American Championship.

Ecuador’s Premier League Presence

Interestingly, there’s a burgeoning group of players from the South American country making their mark in the Premier League. With the likes of Moises Caicedo, Jeremy Sarmiento, and Pervis Esputinan already plying their trade in England, Paez’s arrival is a testament to Ecuador’s growing football stature, having featured in last year’s World Cup finals in Qatar.