Ecuadorian wonderkid Kendry Paez, 16, has despatched worldwide media right into a frenzy after a formidable debut for his senior nationwide group on Tuesday. The teenager, who is ready to hitch Chelsea in the summertime of 2025 as soon as he turns 18, starred alongside future Blues team-mate Moises Caicedo in a 2-1 victory over Uruguay on the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado.

Despite his juniority, Paez began on the correct wing for Ecuador, placing on a efficiency that oozed class. By the time he had left the pitch, with some 20 minutes to go, he had laid on the successful aim and dazzled everybody in attendance together with his quick toes and spectacular link-up play.

Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte sang Paez's praises in a characteristic article showing on their web site as they declared that he had placed on a show that 'far exceeded his years'. The report goes on so as to add that Paez now holds three data. The youngest participant to characteristic for Ecuador, to begin a South American World Cup Qualifiers match, and to report an help within the competitors.

In Argentina, Paez’s debut was additionally a giant story for Olé. They wrote that Blues followers must be "excited" by the acquisition of Paez, particularly given his "connection" with compatriot Caicedo.

Meanwhile, the Spanish newspaper Diario AS printed a narrative about Paez, entitled "A Star Is Born". "Todd Boehly’s Chelsea were able to get ahead of the game and sign Paez earlier this year for 20 million," they wrote.

"A figure that at the time was considered outrageous for a boy of his age, but which little by little seems to have become a derisory amount. A generational talent who in two years’ time will be able to share a club with Moises Caicedo, another of the illustrious Ecuadorians of this golden generation who wants to make a name for himself.

"Kendry Paez, write his title down. He has arrived to make historical past." Paez has enjoyed quite the year so far. He scored during his first game in senior football for Independiente del Valle when he was still only 15 and appeared in World Cups at Under-17 and Under-20 levels for Ecuador.

In June, he signed for Chelsea for £17.3million and has now made his debut for Ecuador's senior squad. Manchester United and Manchester City were among the many top European clubs chasing his signature but Paez chose the west Londoners instead.

A statement from the Blues read: "The Ecuadorian, who will be a part of Chelsea after his 18th birthday, has already constructed a status in South America as one of many brightest and most inventive younger skills round. Thanks to his mixture of skilful dribbling together with the imaginative and prescient and method to open up defences together with his passing.

"Paez caught the eye by finding the net on his senior debut for his club this year, becoming the youngest debutant and scorer in the Ecuadorian top flight. He has six senior appearances to his name this season in addition to making his continental debut in a 2-1 Copa Libertadores win over Corinthians at the start of May."