Who is Kendry Paez? The Ecuadorian wonderkid Man Utd and Chelsea want to sign

Fabrizio Romano has linked Kendry Paez to Manchester United and Chelsea. But who is the Ecuadorian youngster?

Earlier today transfer guru Romano claimed that Chelsea and Man Utd were battling it out to sign Paez, and that decision on the youngster’s future would be made “soon”.

The journalist tweeted: “Chelsea are in the race with Man Utd and Bayer Leverkusen to sign Kendry Paez, 2007-born Ecuadorian talent.

“Independiente del Valle’s midfielder, Kendry Paez is highly rated — a decision to be made soon.”

Alongside the natural clamour of excitement that comes when one’s club is the subject of a transfer link, several supporters have also asked who Paez is.

Who is Paez?

Paez has taken age group football by storm in Ecuador and already broken into Independiente del Valle's under-20 team aged just 15.

Indeed, he has impressed to such a degree that Independiente sent him to a range of international tournaments above his age group, including the Copa Milo (under-18s), the Adidas Cup (under-16s), and Salzburg Next Generation Trophy (under-15s).

The teenager played a starring role in each of these competitions and was even voted the Player of the Tournament in Salzburg. Overall, across 2022 Paez netted 16 times in 18 matches despite operating from the midfield.

The teenager also turns out for Ecuador’s under-17 side, for whom he has scored three times in just five appearances.

Such performances have now seen Paez hailed as the best youngster to have come from Ecuador, which is a feat given the standard of player that has moved from the South American country to Europe in recent seasons.

Indeed, Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, Real Valladolid’s Gonzalo Plata and Brighton duo Pervis Estupinan and Moises Caicedo have all flourished in their respective leagues in the past few seasons.

Paez’s play style

Paez plays in several midfield positions, while he can also be used on the flank. However, the youngster is at his best when operating as the most advanced player in a three-person midfield. Of course, standing at 5ft8 the teenager has a physical advantage against some of his younger opponents.

A technically gifted dribbler and exceptional passer, Paez often drifts to the wings, where he is known to deliver pinpoint crosses from his stronger left foot.

He is also devastating at set pieces, having claimed several of his assists from free kicks and corners.