'Straight to the top' - Todd Boehly's £17m Chelsea transfer gamble pays off amid Messi claim
The hype and excitement surrounding Chelsea wonderkid Kendry Paez has continued to grow in recent weeks. After showcasing just why the Blues paid £17.3 million for a 16-year-old during the recent international break, the Ecuadorian ace has continued his development at club level.
Paez, who joined the Premier League club in the summer, has been earmarked as one of the stars of the future at Stamford Bridge. The teenage sensation has already made over 20 senior appearances for Independiente del Valle and became the youngest South American football of all time to score in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at 16 years and 161 days.
The attack-minded midfielder scored for Ecuador in their 2-1 win over Bolivia, set up by future teammate Moises Caicedo. His goal for his nation only added more hype around his name, although he won't officially move to England until 2025 — when he turns 18.
Chelsea beat the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid to Paez's signature. His signing was one of many wonderkid purchases completed by Todd Boehly since completing his £4billion takeover with Lesley Ogochukwu, Deivid Washington, Angelo, Diego Moreira and Djordje Petrovic all signed this summer.
And Chelsea supporters were given a further example of what he can produce in Independiente's 2-0 Serie A win over Guayaquil City overnight. Paez collected the ball just outside the penalty box before taking one touch and firing the ball into the top corner.
The goal has left Praez's future supporters excited about what he will bring to Mauricio Pochettino's squad when he eventually moves. Here, football.london takes a look at what a number of fans have been saying after his impressive goal in Ecuador.
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