Elche CF has focused on strengthening the midfield this season, aiming to become the team’s engine in the center of the park. New arrivals have raised expectations with players who value quality, including Aleix Febas, Nico Castro, Oscar Plano, and Cristian Salvador.
They rely on contributions from Fidel Chaves, Raul Guti, Tete Morente, and Nico Fernandez Mercau. Alongside a young squad, Elche has already spent a season in the First Division, with Rodrigo Mendoza showing as a reference in midfield.
The only setback came with the injury to John Chetauya, who had been assigned to center duties after delivering a solid performance late last season.
Although several key players left such as Omar Mascarell and Gerard Gumbau, the core of the Franjiverde engine room remained intact. Cristian Salvador joined at the start of August while Nico Castro and Oscar Plano arrived just before the season began, reinforcing the midfield options.
There was broad belief that the Franjiverde squad possessed a reliable midfield, featuring versatile players with different profiles. They were expected to drive the team’s play in the Second Division and shoulder significant responsibility for the club’s performances.
Yet the engine room has not fully clicked, and Beccacece is still searching for a formula that delivers the style the Argentine coach envisions.
The many changes the green and white coach has had to implement throughout the season underline this reality. The first two matchdays of La Liga Hypermotion signaled a reset.
The midfield saw a complete reshuffle in the game against Eibar last weekend. Initially, Raul Guti operated at center, Febas acted as the organizer, and Fidel and Tete Morente started on the flanks.
In the second half, Josan came on for Tete Morente, Cristian Salvador replaced Raul Guti, Nico Castro took over for Aleix Febas, and Oscar Plano replaced Fidel. Nico Fernandez Mercau also entered but shifted to the left-back position when Salinas moved forward.
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The team showed improvements, but none of the top five performers stood out as clearly as Argentine Nico Castro. He demonstrated potential as Elche’s midfield conductor, capable of delivering the final pass and linking the two forwards. After adapting to the squad and Spanish football, Castro earned a starting call for the upcoming fixture against Villarreal on Saturday at 21:30.
NIC Castro is highlighted for his quality and versatility as the center of Elche’s midfield, not only in the Eibar clash but across the opening fixtures against Racing de Ferrol as well.
Initially, Guti, Febas, Fidel, Tete Morente, and Nico Fernandez were taken off, with Febas finishing the match well and Morente appearing on the right wing instead of Josan. Guti was replaced by Cristian Salvador again, Nico Fernandez gave way to Nico Castro, and Pere Milla exited late for Fidel to facilitate a more midfield-oriented game plan.
Cristian Salvador has also raised his level since Guti began to feature more, bringing a pivot-like presence that adapts well to Beccacece’s system. The former Huesca player joins the lineup as a new starter in the squad that will face the yellow subsidiary in the upcoming clash.
Fidel has alternated with other moments, sometimes missing the mark, and Morente has yet to reach the form he showed at the end of last season.
Efforts to lubricate the engine room and discover the right mix continue, as Beccacece searches for the formula that will unlock the style he wants. The focus remains on arranging the midfield ahead of the Saturday match.