Chelsea’s recent signing, 16-year-old Ecuadorian talent Kendry Paez, has garnered high praise from his football agent, Manuel Sierra. Having secured the young midfielder in 2023, Sierra believes Chelsea may have a future Ballon d’Or winner on their hands. Despite Paez staying at Independiente del Valle until he turns 18 in 2025, he is considered one of the best 16-year-olds in professional football, comparable to Barcelona’s Lamine Tamal.
The Blues invested up to €20 million in Paez, with performance-related goals potentially increasing the overall cost. Sierra expressed his optimism about Paez’s potential, emphasizing that the teenager is only at 50-60% of his capabilities. Sierra believes that if Paez learns to live professionally, he could be a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or within the next six to eight years.
Sierra praised Paez’s comprehensive skill set, describing him as a “beastly talent” who, with the right guidance, could become one of the world’s great players. The agent highlighted the importance of professionalism in Paez’s development and expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts to shape him into one of Chelsea’s key players by July 2025.
Paez has already acquainted himself with Chelsea’s manager, Mauricio Pochettino, and spent time with the team in January. The young midfielder has also represented Ecuador, playing alongside future Chelsea teammate Moises Caicedo and scoring for his country. Sierra remains hopeful that Paez’s skills will continue to flourish, making him a significant asset for Chelsea in the years to come.
