A highly-regarded up-and-coming member of the academy setup at La Liga giants Real Madrid has been afforded a call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the coming round of fixtures. This, of course, comes amid nothing short of an injury crisis in Spain’s capital. Over recent weeks, the likes of Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos have all picked up fitness issues. Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff, as a result, have been forced to get creative when it comes to their options for the club’s post-international break return to action. And, as alluded to above, one route which has since been decided upon comes in the form of making use of La Fábrica. With Real Madrid’s options in the middle of the park looking particularly thin ahead of Saturday’s trip to Anoeta, youngster Chema has, on Friday, been afforded a senior call-up. The 19-year-old joins the trio of Federico Valverde, Luka Modrić and Arda Güler in a four-man midfield personnel list to face Real Sociedad.
Teenage midfield prospect Chema Andres was one of the main highlights of Real Madrid’s squad for the upcoming game against Real Sociedad. Benefiting from the absence of key midfielders Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Ceballos due to injuries, Chema may have an excellent chance of making his first-team debut for the club this weekend.
Chema's Rise to Prominence
Chema’s inclusion in the team was always in the making, especially given the way he has impressed the coaching staff at the Valdebebas. A recent report from MARCA has offered a rather comprehensive update on Chema and his rise to prominence within the Real Madrid youth ranks. In fact, the youngster has been garnering a lot of attention for his similarities to Manchester City star Rodri, a player Real Madrid admire and consider pursuing in 2025. Standing at 1.90 cm with an impressive range of movement, Chema has a playing style that echoes the qualities of the Spanish international. The 19-year-old possesses the ability to control the tempo of the game, maintain positional discipline, and support his teammates in both offensive and defensive situations.
The Rodri Comparison
Real Madrid sees in Chema the potential to become their version of Rodri, a player who could dominate the midfield for years to come. The club’s football department has marked him as a standout talent, and the staff at Valdebebas has been diligently working to shape his game. His training regime has been tailored with specialized videos and drills, aimed at honing the qualities that make him so highly regarded: spatial awareness, tactical intelligence, and composure under pressure. With comparisons to Rodri already being drawn, there is every chance Chema will be groomed to fill a similar role at Real Madrid. The camp at Valdebebas views him as a long-term project who could become a cornerstone of their midfield, much like Rodri at Manchester City. If his development continues at this pace, Chema, who is already making his mark on Carlo Ancelotti, could emerge as the next big name from Real Madrid’s academy, making him a player to watch in the future.
Another Youngster Makes the Cut
At just 19 years old, Sergio Mestre’s journey from Atletico Madrid’s youth setup to Real Madrid’s first-team squad has been nothing short of remarkable. After 12 years with Atletico, Mestre now finds himself in the senior squad for their fierce rivals, Real Madrid. For the first time in his three months at the club, Mestre has been called up to the first-team squad by Carlo Ancelotti for Real Madrid’s upcoming clash against Real Sociedad. Fran Gonzalez, the usual third-choice keeper, will stay behind to prepare for the Castilla match, paving the way for Mestre to join the first team. This will mark a swift rise for Mestre, who has leapfrogged other competitors from the Real Madrid C and Castilla squad to become the club’s fourth-choice goalkeeper. It must be noted that Mestre was also included in Real Madrid’s Champions League squad for the season. Despite Thibaut Courtois’ established role as the first-choice goalkeeper and Andriy Lunin recently signing a new deal until 2030, Mestre’s inclusion in the first team is a testament to his potential and the trust Real Madrid have in the goalkeeper. The youngster’s attributes and technical skills appear to have impressed Ancelotti, and he could be a valuable asset as Real Madrid looks to maintain depth in their squad. But as far as making an immediate breakthrough is concerned, the Spaniard might have to proceed with utmost patience, knowing even someone like Lunin was not able to dethrone Courtois despite emerging as arguably the best goalkeeper in La Liga last season.
