Paul Piatti will also depart from Elche after this season. The Argentine playmaker’s contract expires on 30 June and he is not included in the club’s plans for the next campaign.
Like Matías Marcone, Piatti did not live up to expectations during the year and a half he spent with Elche. He arrived in February 2019, after the winter market window had closed, following the end of his stint with a club in North America’s MLS, Toronto FC. His involvement increased slightly last season, particularly in the closing weeks of the league, but this campaign saw him feature in barely ten league matches for a total of 308 minutes. He accumulated 206 minutes in the first three rounds of the Copa del Rey against Leioa, Unionistas Salamanca, and Almería. These numbers show a far cry from the level he had shown in previous stops with Almería and Espanyol.
After parting ways with Elche at 33, Piatti’s next move would seem to bring him back to his home country where he remains a fan favorite and an idol dating back to his youth. The Argentine veteran is expected to continue playing through June and will need to participate in the late stages of the Copa Libertadores. As reported by El Día de la Plata, negotiations between the player and Elche are very close to a resolution and could be finalized in the coming days.
Guido Carrillo, another forward who ended his relationship with Elche and is not anticipated to be renewed, will explore options to stay in Spanish football. Carrillo has been one of the more prolific scorers in the Elche squad over the last two seasons, and rumors have linked him with attention from several clubs, including Cadiz and Osasuna. Yet Carrillo also has interest from Argentine teams, and Piatti is among the names associated with his supporters. The forward may opt to return to South America and finish his career in Argentine football, closing a European chapter that has lasted several seasons.
Despite the ups and downs, Piatti’s presence on the pitch featured a commitment to professionalism that impressed many at Elche. His best form appeared in January, aligning with a spell when Lucas Boyé suffered an injury, and it suggested there could be a pathway to a renewed role with the franchiverde team. It is now clear that, barring a surprising turn of events, Piatti’s time with Elche has run its course and he will move on from the club.