Francisco: “I’d be happy to have Collado and another midfielder”

How do you evaluate the incoming companies and the status of the staff?

I’m happy. We found a different right-back profile we were looking for with Pol Lirola. Roger Martí is a veteran player just like Carlos Clerc and we hope Collado will eventually get a deal. It’s been a tough market and pre-season. At times there were options we hoped to close that could not be made because of the clubs of origin and the footballers themselves who decided elsewhere. But I’m happy with what’s coming

Would you like to get autographs sooner?

Any coach wants players to adapt as soon as possible. But I am happy. We’ve been able to protect the base since last season and a lot of effort went into that. We weren’t regulars and it wasn’t easy as there were so many injuries and discomfort in the pre-season. But this is not an excuse. People who come or stay are who they want and for me they are the best. We are ready to start the competition.

Álex Collado’s signature is already on Elche and it’s closed?

I would like to say yes But we had similar situations and it didn’t happen in the end. We hope you can be with us at practice tomorrow afternoon. The important thing is that you don’t want to come.

With Roger Martí, Carlos Clerc, Pol Lirola and Collado… they have a better roster than last season…

Collado isn’t here yet. We will see a better template… Yes, it is different and versatile. Now we have to show that he is better throughout the season. Last season’s squad fought very well and scored the necessary points to reach the goal. We hope this campaign will do the same.

Are they considering the arrival of a goalkeeper or are they finally staying with Axel Werner?

We wanted to see Axel in the pre-season. We considered the possibility of signing a goalkeeper, but decided to move forward with the youth from Edgar Badia, Axel and subsidiary Jesús.

Does it look like a certain left winger is missing?

We can be happy with Fidel, Tete Morente, Pere Milla, who can also play there, and we don’t even think about it.

And a defender after Gonzalo Verdú’s injury and problems with Pedro Bigas?

If something interesting comes up, we consider it, but it’s not a priority. It is true that Gonzalo (Verdú) has to have surgery, but he is recovering. It’s a possibility, but if anything.

So how many more signatures are you waiting for?

One more player for the axis of the center of the field and Collado if it happens. With two we can consider that the template is closed.

How are injured and injured players like Lucas Boyé, Gonzalo Verdú, Pastore and Raúl Guti?

We’re happy with Boyé because he’s doing well and we hope he can join the group next week. Pastore has two training sessions with the group and it’s going well. He didn’t do the pre-season as we expected, but mentally he’s very good. Gonzalo is developing well and we look forward to his development with Guti. He had a problem on Wednesday and couldn’t train like the others and we’ll see how he does in the last two workouts. If it’s not 100%, it won’t travel.

First game against Betis, a complex opponent who has trouble registering players…

We know how difficult the match will be because great opponents are playing at home in front of their fans. Although the player cannot save, he can get an eleven that will be ready to compete in Europe. They have top players and it won’t be easy. But we prepared the match well in order to fight well and try to get a good result.

Do you see Pol Lirola ready to start?

It comes from making pre-season preparations up to two days ago and competing with Olympique de Marseille. It’s a possibility and we’ll decide. The important thing is that the incoming players are ready to compete.

Finally, what message would you send to the fans and what is your goal for this season?

The goal is very clear and permanent for all of us. Fans know this and we appreciate the support they have shown us with over 22,000 subscribers. This is great for a team like ours. We asked them at the end of last season and they answered. Elche fans are smart, we all know how difficult it will be in the preseason and I hope we can all enjoy it together.