HE Elche CF is struggling at the start of the season, and luck seems scarce for the squad. A string of injuries, departures, and suspensions have drained the squad’s potential, with manager Sebastian Beccacece forced to manage a thinner squad and a reduced workforce.
Pedro Bigas and Nico Castro were part of a difficult meeting last Saturday, with Carlos Belmonte among those affected by the current campaign’s challenges. The club is tallying a long list of casualties as it navigates through a tough spell.
The Majorcan defender left the field in the 24th minute, and medical evaluations are expected to determine the extent of the issue. Bigas has been a durable presence this season but now faces the possibility of missing the upcoming match against Zaragoza, a setback for Beccacece who relies on his presence at the back.
The player who looked set to contribute heavily but ultimately became a costly loss for the Aragonese opponent is Nico Castro. The Argentinian was sent off at Carlos Belmonte after a reckless challenge while already booked. He quickly realized the mistake and its impact on the team. The match ended 0-1 as Elche conceded control early on but fought to the end.
Bigas and Castro join a string of squad members who have either been injured or sent off this season, underscoring the depth issue the team must overcome.
Bigas’s situation is juxtaposed with Castro’s red card, highlighting a broader pattern of disruptions within the squad during the campaign. The image of the two players is a reminder of the fragility a compact squad faces when key players are unavailable due to injury or disciplinary actions.
The first of these concerns is John Chetauya. The youth player endured a fibula injury during the pre-season that required surgery, and he remains in recovery; he is nearing the end of rehabilitation and could be ready in the coming weeks, pending medical clearance.
John and Elche endure more disruption
Inside four days against Santander Racing, Carlos Clerc also faced a red card for stopping an opponent moving toward the goal in the 75th minute. The refereeing decision left Elche with a point from a 1-1 draw, a result that left the team one goal short of victory in the closing minutes.
The bad luck intensified on matchday five at Nuevo Jose Zorrilla. Borja Garcés, making his Franjiverde debut, suffered a myotendinous tear at the right base that sidelined him for about a month.
The on-loan forward from Atlético de Madrid returned on matchday ten against Andorra, scoring once before sustaining a further injury that sidelined him again in the Tenerife game. This time, he sustained a thigh biceps tear and will miss several weeks of action.
Mario Gaspar, a seasoned defender, was also sent off in the Valladolid clash for pushing an opponent in a rash, unnecessary moment near the corner. The incident required him to serve a two-match suspension as a consequence of the red card.
Captains Fidel Chaves also faced difficulties. His form dipped as a left sole fibrillar tear surfaced after just finishing the Tenerife match. He remained on the bench in the subsequent Albacete meeting but is expected to be available again soon for Zaragoza.
Injuries punish Elche heavily
Alongside these bigger disruptions, several other players have faced minor but ongoing issues, including Álex Martín, Cristian Salvador, and Salinas. While their absences have been shorter, they still threaten to pull Elche off the rhythm season-long.
The section detailing the most notable disruptions lists five primary issues: first, John Chetauya, who has endured a recurring fibula problem from pre-season and remains unavailable; second, Borja Garcés, who initially missed a month with a calf issue and returned only to be sidelined again; third, Sergio León, who suffered a serious hamstring injury in the derby against Eldense and will be out for several months; fourth, Fidel Chaves, who encountered a fibrillar tear in his left calf and could not play in Albacete; and fifth, Pedro Bigas, who left the field early against Albacete and is awaiting medical clearance. The list also includes expulsions among the team.
Carlos Clerc received a red card on matchday four against Racing de Santander for stopping an opponent near the goal. Mario Gaspar was sent off against Valladolid for a rash push, and Nico Castro’s rough behavior in Albacete led to disciplinary action. These sequences emphasize the ongoing challenges Elche faces as they seek stability on multiple fronts.