Lucas Boyé will miss at least a month in the dry dock, a decisive moment for Elche CF in the competition. The attacker loses his reference, forcing Argentina to watch the dynamic of the attack shift. Pear Milla, Elche’s top scorer with seven goals and three assists, becomes the next focal point in the frontline as the team faces a stretch without Boyé.”
Now the other two forwards on the roster, Guido Carrillo and Ezequiel Ponce, must step up to deliver the goals and the offensive momentum needed to hide the absence of their compatriot and prove the club’s persistence and resilience.
Both Carrillo and Ponce will see their contracts expire at the end of the season, presenting a clear window to demonstrate value and secure renewal and continuity into the next campaign.
Guido Carrillo has already shown his reliability for Elche. He routinely adapts to different roles and is valued for his work rate. His main contribution has often come in the final stages of matches, especially when the result is tight or adverse.
In this season, Carrillo has appeared in 23 league games but started only seven times. With Boyé injured, he stepped onto the field as a starter in most cases, including a match against Levante at Ciutat de València where he linked up with Boyé. The rest of his starts were influenced by Boyé’s absences due to injuries.
Carrillo started only once under Fran Escribá, in a 4-1 defeat of Villarreal during a weekly meeting where he formed an attacking duo with Lucas Pérez, a teammate who is no longer part of the squad. He started six times after Boyé’s injuries in January and February, including matchups with Granada, Espanyol, and Villarreal, where he partnered with Pere Milla or Lucas Pérez in different environments.
He re-entered the starting eleven when Boyé was again sidelined in February, during matches against Sevilla and Levante. Carrillo’s last appearance came on February 25 against Levante, the only occasion where he shared the frontline with a fellow countryman in the starting lineup.
Elche registered three wins, one draw, and three losses in Carrillo’s seven appearances this season. His best form was shown in January when he started three consecutive league games against Granada, Espanyol, and Villarreal. He also stood out as an offensive reference in the King’s Cup against Real Madrid in the previous round. That strong run and his consistent effort earned him affection from the fans, who now view him as a viable option in Boyé’s absence.
Carrillo has totaled 23 league appearances for 875 minutes, plus three cup appearances. He contributed a goal against Alavés, while three goals were ruled out across matches with Granada and Valencia. He did score twice in the Copa del Rey against Leioa.
Ezequiel Ponce is the other option Francisco can lean on to fill Boyé’s main attacking role. The Argentine arrived in January and arrived with a minor injury that kept him from debuting until February 18. He started against Rayo and scored his first goal on that day. After two reserve matches against Levante and Barcelona, he started in Granada and Valencia, forming the forward line alongside Boyé. He returned to the bench in Bilbao last Sunday.
Ponce has played in all six Elche matches since his debut, four as a substitute and two as a starter, accumulating 282 minutes and one goal.
With Boyé sidelined, both Carrillo and Ponce must shoulder more of the offensive load to help Elche sustain their attack. Boyé remains the franchise’s primary figure, but the two alternatives provide Francisco with options to maintain scoring and offensive pressure during this critical phase of the season. Elche’s continuity hinges on their ability to produce goals in the coming weeks.
Pere Milla, who has stepped forward as a secondary option, also serves as a turning point in Boyé’s absence. The Catalan forward is not a prolific primary reference in the attack, yet he has often found space and shown versatility in multiple positions, including as a secondary striker or winger on both flanks. He is Elche’s top scorer with seven goals, tied with Boyé, and his role becomes pivotal as the Argentine is out. His leadership in attack should complement Ponce and Carrillo as the team seeks to stabilize its forward line. With Milla leading the line alongside Ponce and Carrillo, Elche aims to sustain its momentum and keep pushing for competitive results, with the squad counting on persistence to guide them through this period.
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