Chelsea will be keeping a close eye on the progress of Kendry Paez this season before he becomes a first team star at Stamford Bridge, and will be delighted with a recent review of him from his international manager.
Paez has been called up for the Ecuador squad for the upcoming break, after he has got off to a good start to life at Strasbourg on loan from the Blues.
He will not be joined by Chelsea star Moises Caicedo though, after the decision was made to protect his fitness.
Enzo Maresca said Caicedo had a knock before the game against Benfica, and since then he has featured in two intense victories for the Blues in West London.
Ecuador manager says Kendry Paez is hardest-working player on international duty
Paez will continue to look to earn his way into the World Cup 2026 squad for next summer, after his nation secured qualification during the last break.
It looks as if he has left a lasting impression on current manager Sebastian Beccacece, who praised the youngster for being the hardest-working member of his squad when he has been in charge.
He said: “Kendry was heavily questioned for things outside of football. Here we sheltered him, we bet on him. He was 17 years old back then, he had the chance to make mistakes. We sought for him to go to Europe quickly. Today he looks better, he has grown a lot. Every time he comes, he is the player who runs the most, the one who sacrifices the most.”
Caicedo is widely recognised as one of the hardest-working players in world football, and to hear that Paez has been topping him in Ecuador training is a really encouraging sign.
Paez on track at Strasbourg
Chelsea will be hoping Paez’s loan move to France delivers similar results to what it did for Andrey Santos, who has been competing for minutes at Stamford Bridge.
Strasbourg have been delighted with Paez’s impact at the club. He recently found the net for the first time for his new side.
They are going very well under Liam Rosenior this season, sitting third in the league and already having a win under their belts in the Conference League.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
