This week, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad flew in 16-year-old wonderkid Kendry Paez from Ecuador to train with Chelsea ahead of their Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday.

Club insiders have revealed that Paez is in London ahead of their match at Wembley Stadium. Paez will sign a £17.2 million deal with Chelsea once he turns 18 in May 2025.

He scored in a World Cup qualifier in October, making history as the youngest South American to do so. Moises Caicedo, with whom he will train this week, assisted on the goal.Chelsea is hoping to help him settle in by scheduling a series of visits, including this one to Cobham, prior to his permanent move.

His current team, Independiente del Valle, has given its approval. They are not scheduled to play until March, when the Ecuadorian Serie A season begins.

As a left-footed midfielder-winger, Paez has been compared to Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. At the age of 15, he scored on his debut with Independiente, making him the competition’s youngest goalscorer. Paez continued his English studies prior to Chelsea signing him, and he was heavily scouted by Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, and a number of other European teams.It’s unclear if he’ll be in attendance for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley, where they’re hoping to win their first trophy under Todd Boehly, or if he has to go back to Independence by then. Paez met Pochettino for the first time when he attended the quarterfinal match against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. However, Pochettino’s current contract is set to expire before the teenager arrives unless his one-year extension is activated. Chelsea’s players have now returned to Cobham to be ready for Liverpool’s challenge after their 1-1 draw at Manchester City. Winning would not only award them trophies but also European football, since the Carabao Cup winners get into the Europa Conference League for the next season.