Signings are expected to be clubs that help the roster make a quality leap. Elche CF added seven new players this season. At first glance, it seemed some would contribute more than others, and some would raise the level from the previous campaign. Yet, the reality on the pitch has not followed that initial impression.
Elche’s seven transfers have logged only 32% of the minutes in the opening six matchdays. With few exceptions, none has lived up to the hoped-for standard yet.
Francisco repeatedly spoke about delays in the arrival of new reinforcements. Only two, Roger Martí and Carlos Clerc, joined at the start of the pre-season. The left-back, however, arrived late due to a long injury layoff.
The other three — Pol Lirola, Alex Collado, and Domingos Quina — joined after the season had begun and reported to the squad from the second day of La Liga.
The last two, Nico Fernández Mercau and Fede Fernández, were brought in on the final day of the transfer window, September 1, as four competitive matches had already been played.
Alex Collado, the midfielder on loan from Barcelona, was one of the signings that generated the most excitement among the supporters. The young Catalan quickly showed his quality in a standout performance. He made his debut in the second round against Almería, started proceedings, and he even scored one of Elche’s two equalizers. Across four games he totalled 293 minutes (54.5%), consistently making a noticeable impact whenever he appeared. In the visit to Barcelona at the Camp Nou, that was his only substitution. Although the club did not impose clauses to block a future move, he did not continue as a first-choice option. In a squad that leans on the right side, he often played with an aggressive, forward-facing style, but his impact began to wane as time passed.
Roger Martí, the Valencia striker, was another signing expected to lift the roster’s quality. His experience with Levante and his scoring touch with Granota suggested he could be a difference-maker. Francisco trusted Roger from the outset, and the forward logged 237 minutes (43.88%). He started in the first three fixtures against Almería and Real Sociedad, but was substituted in each case and hardly featured thereafter. Against Villarreal, he came on in the 57th minute, replacing Lucas Boyé, but his presence did not alter the result.
At present he has no minutes in the last two games against Athletic Club de Bilbao and Barcelona. He stands as the third striker behind Boyé and Eze Ponce.
Pol Lirola, the right-back, has been one of the early disappointments of the season. He arrived in Elche with a strong résumé from Italy and France, including international experience with Olympique de Marseille, making his first Spanish La Liga stint particularly anticipated. Yet his contribution has been modest so far.
He started immediately, playing the full 90 minutes on the second day against Almería and then earning a starting berth again on the following Real Sociedad match. A hamstring issue forced him off at halftime, and he also missed a subsequent match against Villarreal. He returned for the clash with Athletic Club on matchday five and began again, but his level did not meet expectations. Substitutions were common, and his performance left room for improvement. All told, three games and 202 minutes (37.50%) in his first spell illustrate the challenge he faces. The coaching staff continues to place trust in Lirola, and a steady recovery is seen as key to stabilizing the team’s trajectory.
Carlos Clerc joined Elche to replace Mojica. He needed time to regain full match fitness after a long injury setback. Training resumed late in the pre-season, and he did not feature in the opening four games. The coach, Francisco, kept Mojica in contention for a Villarreal move, and Clerc’s involvement was limited. He played the full 90 minutes in the next game against Villarreal but appeared subdued. In the following match against Athletic Club, Clerc started again and showed a modest improvement. In two appearances, Clerc has logged 180 minutes (33.3%).
Quina has been one of the more surprising contributors. The Guinea-Portuguese midfielder has not always featured, but he has brought energy and quality when on the pitch. He appeared in five matches, starting in only one against Athletic Club. His influence on the midfield has been notable, furnishing 171 minutes (31.6%), and he has earned a place in the squad’s preferred lineup on several occasions.
Nico Fernández Mercau’s arrival served as emergency reinforcement for Mojica on the final day. He debuted against Athletic Club after a week of limited training and some early struggles on the left flank. He was a substitute in Barcelona and entered the action for Raúl Guti in the 53rd minute. He has clocked 143 minutes (23.50%) and still needs time to adapt to the Spanish league’s rhythm and style.
Faith Fernández, like his partner Nico, joined after moving from Newcastle United in September. He is one of seven signings who have yet to appear in competitive minutes. With Gonzalo Verdú unavailable and Pedro Bigas in doubt, he might have a chance in the upcoming Vallecas match against Rayo Vallecano if selected.