Three ways Enzo Maresca could use Kendry Paez at Chelsea next season, including all-South American midfield

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The summer transfer window is not even open yet, but it is already shaping up to be an exciting one for Chelsea.

The Blues will finally be able to register Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian, who officially join the club this year, while Chelsea could also bag Liam Delap or another striker.

Ahead of the 2025/26 season, Kendry is already at Chelsea training as his new employers try to make his adaptation period a quick one.

With that in mind, The Chelsea Chronicle has taken a look at how Enzo Maresca could utilise the 17-year-old next term.

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Cole Palmer alternative

Since breaking into Independiente del Valle’s first team, the No.10 position is where Paez has played most.

With Cole Palmer occupying that role at Chelsea, he is not going to start there. However, with the futures of Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku uncertain, the young Ecuadorian could be given the role of Palmer’s deputy if he can impress in pre-season.

AC Milan could try to turn the former’s loan deal into a permanent transfer, while their rivals Inter Milan are also interested in Felix.

Three-man midfield alongside Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez

For IDV’s senior team and U20s side, Paez has also played a bit deeper in central midfield.

In a two-man midfield, Paez would probably get eaten alive in the Premier League. He is a growing teenager who has not played in Europe yet and a physically demanding division like the English top flight.

However, next to his compatriot Moises Caicedo and Argentina star Enzo Fernandez, that is something that could work. The thought of him potentially making Frank Lampard-esque runs into the box while being protected by Caicedo and Fernandez is quite an exciting one.

Things have gone stale under Maresca this season. A tactic like the above is the sort of thing that would have been able to freshen things up.

Rotation option on the right

Chelsea are going to be stacked on the right flank next season, with Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and Estevao all able to play there.

It is a position that Paez is also comfortable in and may be the safest area on the pitch for him.

There, the Ecuador international will mostly have to worry about the opposition’s left-back and left winger as opposed to physically dominant midfielders and centre-backs, which he will encounter if he is used in a more central role.

There are different ways Maresca can use Paez, and it is going to be exciting to see what the Chelsea manager comes up with next season if he is not sent out on loan.