Chema was finally given a runout by Sabri Lamouchi and delivered a respectable performance at centre-back despite Nottingham Forest being thrashed in the EFL Cup third round by Arsenal.
The 27-year-old joined from Levante in August and has gone on to make two appearances in all competitions – both of which have come in the EFL Cup. He started alongside Tobias Figueiredo on Wednesday and came away with some credit from supporters.
https://twitter.com/jack_Panardj/status/1176857121301901313?s=20
It’s funny isn’t it…. love Joe Lolley, baller at Champ level but he, along with Adomah and Figs look so rushed when they have the ball. Ribiero, Chema, Silva and Carvalho look at home. Finding pockets of space, great use of the ball….Interesting #NFFC
— Andrew 🏹 (@Nesto25) September 24, 2019
Score line is irrelevant to me tonight. Figs & Chema have been decent. And Riberio is looking a right player. Bigger fish to fry and on to Stoke we go! #nffc
— CityGroundShelf (@CityGroundShelf) September 24, 2019
One positive was Ribeiro, class tonight. Chema was solid but absolute 20 minute meltdown. All about Friday anyway… #NFFC
— Nathan Joyes (@NathanJoyes1) September 24, 2019
Missed a bit of beef from Samba in the middle to protect the ball. Only natural that Chema and Figs would have some rust. Thought Ribeiro looked classy and we had the odd bright moment in the first 15 mins of each. Big gulf in class told #NFFC
— Andrew Brookes (@andrewbrookes84) September 24, 2019
Chema played a full 90 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, made 40 touches, completed 89.3% of his 28 passes, won one aerial duel, completed 67% of his long balls, made two clearances, blocked five shots and made one tackle.
With Forest now out of the EFL Cup, Chema might have to be patient for more opportunities. The Spaniard has been left out of the matchday squad in six of seven Championship games and has only racked up 97 minutes of football.
He finds himself behind Figueiredo, Michael Dawson, Joe Worrall and Jack Robinson in the pecking order, and Lamouchi is unlikely to change a side getting results in the league – the Reds are sixth with the third-best defensive record.
