Caicedo shows HIDDEN TALENT as Chelsea wonderkid makes international history
Robin Bairner
- 13 Sept 2023 11:40 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea supporters will have kept one eye on Ecuador’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on Tuesday, with two Blues stars taking place for the hosts.
Although it was Santos Laguna centre-back Felix Torres who was the matchwinner for Ecuador as he scored both goals, Blues duo Moises Caicedo and Kendry Paez both played important roles in the match.
Just by stepping on the pitch, Kendry became the youngest player to turn out for Ecuador at international level. Previously, the 16-year-old had been the youngest player to feature at the U20 World Cup, but he has swiftly taken the step up to national level.
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Although often used as a substitute by club Independiente del Valle, the teenager showed he was amply capable of making the step up with an accomplished midfield display. He even provided an assist for the winning goal with a cross.
Technically, Kendry is not yet a Chelsea player, though he has agreed to join the Premier League club after he turns 18 in the summer of 2025. FIFA legislation prevents the Blues from officially signing the player before then.
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Moises Caicedo, corner taker 😎pic.twitter.com/M7WsMBzJrK
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) September 13, 2023
Caicedo and Kendry partnership shows early promise
Chelsea fans will be particularly excited to see how he dovetailed with Caicedo, who is player already on the books of the club after a €116 million purchase from Brighton in the summer.
Caicedo, 21, has struggled to show his best form under Mauricio Pochettino in his first three outings with the Stamford Bridge side, but was back to his best in midweek with Ecuador.
He even gave Chelsea fans a glimpse of a talent that he has not previously showcased on the big stage: an ability to hit devastating set pieces.
With Ecuador trailing 1-0, it was his corner that provided Felix Torres with the chance to level the game in first-half stoppage-time.
It remains to be seen if this is a talent Pochettino is eager to allow Caicedo to use at Chelsea, but it nevertheless represents yet another skill in his armoury.
