Injuries have affected Elche CF recently, reducing the A team to minimal levels. This situation pushes the club to rely on the academy, promoting young players, calling them up, and giving them a chance to debut and earn minutes with the first team.
Elche’s young talents are increasingly stepping forward in a green box of opportunity. Rodrigo Mendoza was the first to debut. An under-17 international, he made his league bow against a strong opponent and later appeared for Gijón before that, and this Saturday played the final minutes against Albacete. He also finished in the top five of the tournament last Wednesday in the Copa del Rey, where he helped secure a late draw by scoring the second goal for his team in a clash with CE Europe.
Two days ago, while facing Tenerife, Pamies realized his dream of debuting with the city club. He came on to replace an injured outfield player with muscle discomfort in the final minutes and helped maintain a 2-1 lead. The left back for the B team logged 90 minutes in the cup draw against Europe, with other squad members like Nordin, Ali Houary, and Didac starting on the bench for that match.
Europa-Elche Cup Chronicle: Mourad and Rodri Earn Another Chance
In the run-up to the clash with Europa, the team looked to fill gaps left by injuries in the squad. The debut of Pamies marked another milestone as the youngster advanced toward Carlos Belmonte in Albacete. He came on in the 87th minute, displaying bravery and flashes of quality that suggest he can be a viable option for the squad in the future.
The evening in Elche also served as a stage for broader development. Rodrigo Mendoza, Pamies, and Adam, along with Salinas and Mourad, formed part of a broader pool of academy players stepping into senior responsibilities. The left-back had missed recent matches due to muscle problems, while the attacker has established himself as a regular option in the forward line. He struck in the Copa match against Europe and put in a strong showing in Albacete, almost scoring again with a header that narrowly missed the target and could have sealed a 0-2 scoreline.
John Chetauya, another academy product promoted to the First Team last season, was highlighted as a player still recovering from fibula surgery performed last July. He is nearing full fitness and is expected to become a key contributor for the team once he returns, with Beccacece showing confidence in his timeline for integration into the squad.
Rodrigo Mendoza, Pamies, and Adam, alongside Salinas and Mourad, have found minutes this season after previous loan spells and a period of transition. The club is keen to harness the potential of the academy by integrating young talents into competitive fixtures, while also managing injuries across the squad, which has opened doors for emerging players to showcase their abilities on the main stage.