Elche CF faces its season finale this Sunday, June 4, at the Martinez Valero stadium, with kickoff at 21:00. The team eyes a respectable performance against Cadiz, knowing relegation is already confirmed for next campaign in the First Division after the outcome of other results.
The Elche coach, Sebastián Beccacece, will be without up to five players who are unavailable or bidding farewell to the supporters. Several squad members are unlikely to continue into the next project, signaling a transitional moment for the club.
None of the four players who have been sidelined in recent weeks has returned to match fitness in time. Beccacece agrees that it would be unwise to take unnecessary risks at the season’s end, prioritizing long-term health over a final swan song on the pitch.
Sebastián Beccacece, the Elche manager
Jose Angel Carmona is celebrating a seventh championship this week as Sevilla clinches a Europa League title. He continues rehabilitation of a right hamstring injury sustained earlier in the season. The initial scare came in early April during a match against Barcelona. The patient underwent a phased recovery, missing two months of action and several fixtures.
Omar Mascarell appeared optimistic about catching up on the remaining games but failed to recover in time. The Canary Islands-born midfielder had to withdraw in extra time during the match against Celta at Balaídos on April 26. Despite hopes for a swift return, he has spent more than a month in rehabilitation and has not played in the last six games.
Helibelton Palacios and Diego Gonzalez had muscle issues days before the Getafe match. They did not travel to Madrid and have remained unavailable, with no recent on-field assessments.
None of these four injuries trained with the squad all week and they are very likely to miss Sunday’s clash in Cádiz.
Elche players during a practice session
Five players are likely to miss time as a consequence of accumulated discipline as well. Carlos Clerc collected his fifth yellow card last Sunday at San Mamés against Athletic Bilbao and faces a mandatory suspension cycle. Clerc is confident he will stay with the club next season. Mascarell holds a current contract, but there is evident interest from top-flight clubs. Elche has considered renewals for Helibelton Palacios, and Boca Juniors has shown interest in the player. Carmona remains intrigued by opportunities elsewhere, but a loan deal with an option to buy valued at six million euros from Sevilla complicates a move while Elche remains in the Second Division. Diego González has a contract but has seen limited minutes under Beccacece, suggesting a likely departure in the near term.
Around a dozen players could be involved for the final day, but several contracts expire at the end of the season, which may mark the last appearance for some. Notable names such as Áxel Werner, Pol Lirola, Álex Collado, and Pape Cheikh have limited minutes and seem unlikely to extend their stay. Enzo Roco, Gonzalo Verdú, Magallán, and Josán have contributed modestly, but their futures appear uncertain beyond this season, with Verdú and Josán representing resilience in the squad amidst looming changes.
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After the Cádiz match, the team will take a break and return to training on July 3 to begin preparations for the new season.