The striker position was the most protected by Elche CF’s squad during the planning for the new season in the second division. The Elche group featured four forwards: Lucas Boyé, Pere Milla, Ezequiel Ponce, and Mourad. These players have long been known for reliability and, importantly, they already understand the playing style that coach Sebastián Beccacece expects from his teams.
As a result, the club’s sporting committee directed its attention to other areas of improvement when finalizing the roster.
Yet, the situation shifted rapidly within a little more than a week. First, Ponce moved to AEK Athens, and now Pere Milla appears headed to Espanyol, marking a notable change in the forward line.
Elche signs Ponce to AEK Athens
INFORMATION
After Ponce’s departure, Beccacece and technical secretary Sergio Mantecón stated that the plan was not to recruit another striker unless a suitable opportunity emerged. Lucas Boyé, the most pursued forward, remains a focal point, but the club’s management could be evaluating other options as well.
The decision was presented as a clear plan to maintain balance in the attack, with Pere Milla and Mourad both being key homegrown assets who have demonstrated quality and experience at the level required by the team.
Mantecón: “As of today we have 22 high level players”
JA Galvanized
Beccacece and the technical staff have shown confidence in the current depth of the squad, stressing that the group has enough talent to compete while preserving flexibility for tactical adjustments as the season progresses.
Beccacece wants a right winger and thinks no more forward is needed.
JA Galvanized
The departure of Pere Milla and the uncertain future of Mourad left the forward line with Boyé and a single experienced option. Whether the Argentine will remain with Elche is still not confirmed until the transfer window closes on August 31st.
need to sign
Elche now faces the necessity of adding another striker, making it risky to rely solely on Boyé and Mourad to shoulder the goalscoring load.
The sporting committee has already begun scouting for a new forward to reinforce an underappreciated position and to maintain balance in the squad.
Elche FC has liquidity. The acquisitions of Ponce and Pere Milla have brought in substantial value and, in turn, allowed the club to consider significant moves in the second division. The transfer market is expected to move quickly in the coming days, and the Franjiverde club does not want to rush decisions. It recognizes that final-minute departures and last-minute signings involve more complexity in the current market.
The club remains focused on building a competitive attacking unit, with a clear eye on stability and long-term performance in Spain’s second tier. This approach reflects a strategy to optimize squad quality while navigating the realities of contemporary transfer windows and player availability.