left band Elche CF featured as a key weapon for the team to secure safety last season. Fidel Chaves and Johan Mojica formed a formidable left-wing duo, combining for seven goals and ten assists. The Huelva native contributed five goals and five assists, while the Colombian added two goals and five assists. Their chemistry was undeniable, with Fidel often dropping deeper and allowing Mojica to exploit the left flank.
In the current campaign, the outlook dimmed. Fidel managed only three appearances due to injuries. He debuted against Betis at Benito Villamarín and had to withdraw at halftime. Subsequent appearances against Almería, Real Sociedad, and Villarreal were limited. He returned against Athletic Bilbao in the second division and then started last Saturday at Camp Nou against FC Barcelona. A hamstring strain in the 53rd minute forced him off the field, and Domingos Quina took his place.
Forecasts now show Fidel out for another two weeks, affecting Elche ahead of crucial matches versus Vallecano and Mallorca. Overall, Fidel logged just 143 minutes this season, a fact the team took note of as they look toward the future.
Mojica, Fidel’s left-wing partner from last season, is no longer with the club. He played in the first three matchdays for Betis, then moved to Villarreal on the final day of the transfer window after stints with Almería and Real Sociedad. Francisco’s squad now faces a gap on the left side.
With two key players missing, Almería’s coach must explore new options and solutions. Fidel and Mojica connected only in the first 45 minutes of the Betis match. Fidel wore the Colombian left-back jersey against Almería and helped Tete Morente on the wing, a recurring tactic against Real Sociedad.
In the Villarreal game, Mojica was absent, and Clerc operated on the left with Morente pushed wide. The approach did not yield the desired results. The following day against Athletic Bilbao, the coach offered alternatives by bringing Nico Fernández Mercau into the lineup and later Alex Collado. The left flank struggled, and Peter Milla had to step in to balance the profile with a Barcelona loan.
Last Saturday at Camp Nou, the coach continued testing to identify the ideal partner. Clerc was positioned as a winger while Fidel played on the opposite flank under certain tactical setups. Both players showed improvements over the earlier combinations, but Fidel’s injury forced another reshuffle.
A new configuration is needed for Elche as they prepare for vital matches against Rayo Vallecano and Mallorca. Clerc and Nico Fernández will compete for the left wing, while the Catalan may opt for a four-man defense or a three-center-back setup with two wing-backs, giving the Argentine additional depth and access to forward areas.
With Fidel sidelined on the left wing, there is currently no established specialist in that role. Tete Morente could adapt, having spent much of his career in similar positions. If the coach chooses three central defenders and two wing-backs, a pure winger might be surplus and the midfield could compensate with three central players.
Elche’s early-season struggles included a notable drop in left-flank strength, a threat that the coach must address promptly. The Almería squad’s leadership needs to reset and identify fresh solutions to stabilize the attack and defense alike.