Chema looking forward to a homecoming in Madrid

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Midfielder won't lack support when Albion take on Getafe in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.

Luke Nicoli

2026-11-04T05:00+00:00

Chema puts Ayyoub Bouaddi under pressure during Saturday's win over Manchester City. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Midfielder Chema is looking forward to a special homecoming when Albion travel to Getafe for Thursday night’s UEFA Conference League tie.

The Spanish defender is set to return to the district where he lived for seven years, having come through the ranks at nearby Real Madrid, and not surprisingly, his ticket allocation has been in high demand!

“Thankfully, I managed to get all the tickets I needed, so 25 of my family and friends will be there on Thursday!” he smiled. “It’s a really big game for me, given it’s where I lived for such a long time. There are a lot of memories for me living there, so it will be a special game. I’m really looking forward to it.”

In-form Albion face a Getafe team who currently sit in 13th place in La Liga, having picked up just three league wins. They are also yet to win in the group phase of the Conference League, having drawn 1-1 at Universitatea Craiova and lost 5-2 at home to Lugano.

However, they come into their encounter with the Seagulls on the back of a 3-1 victory over Sevilla at the weekend, and Chema is anticipating a tough encounter.

Chema quickly endeared himself to Albion fans by scoring against Arsenal. 📷James Boardman

“They have really good players and they know how they want to play,” is his assessment of Jose Bordalas’ side. “They know where their strengths are and how they can hurt you.

“They're a really strong team, both with and without the ball, so we need to be focused and will need to have another great game to get the three points.”

The midfielder was referencing Albion’s fantastic 1-0 win at Manchester City on Saturday – a result which has cemented the side’s top-three position in the Premier League table.

Albion showed great courage and quality throughout the game at the Etihad Stadium and equally strong resolve, having lost to City on penalties in the Carabao Cup just three days earlier – and it was that narrow defeat which, according to the midfielder, inspired the side to all three points.

“The cup result was disappointing for everyone. We played an amazing game and were really close to getting through to the next round,” he explained. “When you come off a defeat like that, which was difficult for everyone, it’s important to stick together. We’re a really good group and I think that is one of the most important things.

“We had a team talk and a speech from the gaffer the night before the game, which was really motivating. He is very good at that. It helped me a lot to get into the game believing in myself and believing in my teammates.

“I think the team also took it as an opportunity to get revenge in the next game. We stayed focused, corrected the things we needed to improve on and then proved that we could do it. We know that together we can create great things.”

It has been a hugely encouraging start to life at the Albion for the Spaniard, who, having signed from VfB Stuttgart in the summer, made his debut in the 5-0 victory over Coventry City. He then earned his first start in the 3-2 Carabao Cup win at Manchester United before scoring his first goal for the club three days later in the 3-0 success against Arsenal.

Chema impressed again in the victory at the Etihad but, at just 21 years of age, he is adamant there is much more to come.

“I need to keep working hard, but I think this is just the beginning,” he said. “I know I can prove myself much more in these types of games, so I'm really happy with how things are going and I’m just looking forward to the next match.”