Two materials stand out inside the Elche training ground today: lime and sand, a symbolic mix that mirrors the club’s mixed fortunes. The morning brought two news items—one uplifting and pleasantly surprising, the other predictable and regrettable. The good news centers on the return of defender John Chetauya to the squad, a milestone that accelerates his path back into competitive action after a long layoff this season. His comeback is a tangible sign of progress and a reminder of the resilience in the squad.
With John’s return, Beccacece regains a crucial reference in both central defense and midfield, a versatile performer who could cover multiple roles even before the season began. The absence of such a player had left a noticeable gap in the team’s balance and solidity.
Beccacece loses a key defender and midfielder
VL Deltell
morale injection
John’s reappearance in the group acted as a major morale boost for everyone involved. For the player himself, for his teammates, and for the coaching staff, simply being back among the group sends a powerful message. While fully regaining match fitness will take additional weeks, seeing him train with the squad today underlines a positive trajectory and raises spirits around the camp.
The other side of the day’s news concerns Sergio LeónDíez Iborra, who did not train on the grass. The forward is dealing with a hamstring issue that flared up during the match against Eldense, a reminder of the ongoing health challenges the squad faces as it builds toward regular competition. This setback shifts attention to squad depth and the manager’s plan to manage workloads across the forward line.
The forward line under scrutiny
JA Galvan
local youth on show
Elche CF head coach Sebastián Beccacece included not only the established professionals but also gave opportunities to promising young talents during today’s training. Rodri, Pamies, Nordin and Didac joined the session, signaling a deliberate step to integrate homegrown players into the first-team environment. The move reflects a broader strategy to strengthen the squad’s internal pipeline and to prepare the next generation for the rigors of high-level football.