Boss at 20? Bundesliga newcomer already playing like Rodri

Standing at 1.90 meters, he immediately stands out on the pitch. But his aura wasn't the only thing that many VfB fans may have noticed in the test against Bologna. Much more noteworthy: As a new addition, he was already coaching his teammates and giving instructions during the game. And he's only been with the Swabians for just under two weeks. We're talking about José María Andrés Baixauli - or simply Chema Andrés.

From Real Madrid's second team, the 20-year-old moved to Stuttgart at the end of July. Since his signing, he has been in the starting line-up for both test matches. The reason: Angelo Stiller got injured in the training camp and is currently still missing. It's quite possible that the Spaniard could also play in the Supercup against Bayern alongside Atakan Karazor in midfield. Karazor was already raving about his new teammate after the first training impressions, who was already compared to ManCity star Rodri by 'Marca'.

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"That's awesome! I celebrate such players, I look up to them. If Chema is compared to them, it's also good for us. Ange (Stiller; note from the editor) and I are happy when we have someone on our position who serves us as a back-up and competition," said Karazor.

The enthusiasm is great, but how dangerous can Chema Andrés become to the two's starting positions? The former Royal is unlikely to be satisfied with the back-up role for long. Because he has already shown that he wants to take on responsibility immediately. Which brings us back to the Rodri comparison. Both have not only the tick to tuck their jersey into their trousers, both also give the commands on the pitch and talk incessantly with their colleagues. It's even more astonishing with Chema Andrés that he does this at VfB.

📸 Stu Forster - 2025 Getty Images

The reason for this is that he was one of the leading players at Real Madrid, even if it was in the second team. But he also trained with the professionals and collected some minutes in three professional games.

In Stuttgart, his leadership claim was immediately noticeable. "He has a very good passing game and plays very smart football. He can read the game and has good off-ball movement. He comes across well as a person, is positive," Sebastian Hoeneß is quoted by 'Zeitungsverlag Waiblingen'.

The fact that Hoeneß, who rarely singles out individual players, finds such words, shows the impression the youngster has left. Particularly pleasing is that he directs his teammates: "But in a good way. You have to find a good mix and not come in as a newcomer and start making the announcements right away. But that wasn't it, I perceived that as positive," added the Stuttgart coach.

At the same time, he curbed the euphoria and wants to wait and see in the coming weeks. But since Hoeneß is known for promoting young players, it is not ruled out that Chema Andrés will be given a role in midfield. During Angelo Stiller's injury, he is still alongside Karazor - and perhaps in the long run even as his competitor.

With his passing game, he already hinted at why the Rodri comparisons are not far-fetched. In the build-up play and in pressure situations, he remained cool, as if he had been playing at VfB for years. No difficulties in adapting, but directly there to steer the game forward.

During his training at Real Madrid, this self-understanding must have been instilled in him. "The Bundesliga is a big league - I have always dreamed of moving to one of the top leagues to a special club and making my next steps there," Chema Andrés said at his presentation.

VfB could now be exactly the right step for him. If he continues like this, Chema Andrés could soon no longer be "the one with the Rodri comparison", but the one with whom others (like Karazor) have to be compared.

📸 IMAGO / Sportfoto Rudel

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.