Real Madrid's La Fabrica academy has produced some of Europe's finest talent, including Brighton & Hove Albion hotshot Chema Andres.
The young midfielder has shared his thoughts on a possible return to his boyhood club at some point in the future, following a bright start to life in the English Premier League.
Having joined Fabian Hurzeler's side in a €22 million move from Stuttgart on deadline day, Andres has moved completely out of the control of Real Madrid.
His hugely impressive full Premier League debut in the trouncing of champions Arsenal has led to questions of whether he could be an asset at the Bernabeu, even in the short-term.
Chema Andres Admits Real Madrid Ambition
Chema Andres was invited to Spain's U-21 team for this international window, following his impressive showings for Brighton.
The 21-year-old spoke with El Chiringuito about his future and confirmed his dream to one day return to Real Madrid.
"For me, as I’ve always said, Madrid are the club that gave me everything, and it would be an honour for me to return.
But right now I’m not thinking about that because I’ve just arrived at Brighton and I feel incredible there, but it [returning to Madrid] is always a possibility," he said (via Madrid Universal).
Andres believes that the pathway to return to the club is open, judging by the journeys of the likes of Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras recently, and Mariano Diaz in the past.
Los Blancos have made it their policy to sell their best young talent while retaining some form of control over their future, ensuring that they can be re-signed once they prove themselves elsewhere.
Chema Andres believes in his chances of returning to the club despite acknowledging that they already have a very good midfield configuration.
The former Stuttgart man will hope to build on his fine start in England following dominant displays in midfield against Manchester United and Arsenal.
From La Fabrica to the Amex: Why Chema Andres Chose His Own Path
Chema Andres emerged from the La Fabrica talent pipeline in the second half of the 2024-25 season, making his senior Real Madrid debut in a Copa del Rey game in January 2025.
He made three senior appearances for Real Madrid before he joined VfB Stuttgart in a €3 million deal in the summer of 2025.
As per their tradition, Real Madrid retained a 50% sell-on clause, buy-back clause, and a matching rights clause for the player, as he moved to Germany on a five-year deal.
In his debut campaign in Germany, Andres appeared 39 times across all competitions, scoring four goal.
His performance for Stuttgart earned him a move to England, where he would sign for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Andres fetched a tidy sum of €11 million for Real Madrid, who do not have any more leverage on the young midfielder.
Developed by Real Madrid at around the same time as Nico Paz and Jacobo Ramon, Andres stands out for his physicality and technicality.
The youngster has drawn tactical comparisons to compatriots Rodri and Sergio Busquets since his emergence at Real Madrid.
He has found the perfect platform to show his quality in the Premier League, and the Bernabeu may come calling in the future.
