Elche’s Path Back: Rebuilding After Relegation and What to Expect Next Season

Although there are still five days left to finish this championship, Elche CF has already faced relegation to the Segunda Division. With a new season ahead, the club must pivot quickly and start laying the groundwork for a comeback to Spain’s top flight. The plan is to set a solid course for the next campaign, aiming to return to the elite of Spanish football as soon as possible.

The countdown to the next season may be three and a half months away, but there is no time to waste. Experience from recent years shows that last-minute signings rarely yield the expected results, so a careful, well-structured build is essential.

Elche’s sixth relegation to the Segunda Division

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The appointment of Beccacece as head coach appears likely, having arrived over a month ago. The Argentinian coach has already reviewed the current squad and prepared a list of players he envisions for his new project next season. Elche faces a substantial amount of work and must navigate complex planning as contracts run down. By June 30, about half of the current staff will be out of contract, and strategic decisions will shape the club’s immediate future.

Among the players currently out on loan, Álex Collado, Pol Lirola, José Ángel Carmona and Randy Nteka have uncertain fates. It is unclear who among them might stay, and surprises are always possible in football negotiations. Lirola has not featured prominently under Beccacece due to injuries, while the Argentinian coach prioritized other options for the right-back position and for the front line. With Palacios injured, a decision will be made on his role going forward. Beccacece has previously preferred Josan as a right-back or Tete Morente as a winger, options that influence Lirola’s chances at the club.

Nteka showed limited presence this season, and his return to action is in question. Vallecano’s Rail has been cited as a potential destination if a transfer becomes viable. Collado has had sporadic minutes and did not earn a starting spot; his athletic profile remains appealing, but expectations from last summer were not met, making a move likely.

Elche players during a training session

The only player who might secure a continuing role is Carmona. Beccacece faced injuries early in his first impressions, but the possibility of him staying remains uncertain. If the young Sevillian cannot find space in Elche’s plan, another Premier League club could present opportunities.

Nine other players’ contracts are expiring. Pape Sheikh, the Argentinian, did not feature under the current coach and is unlikely to remain. The future of several first-team members will be decided in the coming weeks as the club refines its budget and competitive objectives.

Gonzalo Verdu and Enzo Roco saw limited opportunities, and the coach had leaned toward Mascarell or Clerc as a central defensive pairing. This suggests that their futures lie far from Martínez Valero, the club’s home stadium.

Three players have recently ended their contracts and could alter the club’s financial and sporting parameters. Josan Ferrandez, Axel Werner and Lisandro Magallán are among those who may explore other paths. A Crevillente-born player and the Argentinian defender have appeared in the late-season matches; the goalkeeper might serve as an alternate if Edgar Badía remains with the squad.

Elche’s management plans renewal talks with Helibelton Palacios and Pedro Bigas. The remaining players who terminated contracts include a trio that Beccacece admires, especially a Catalan midfielder who could attract offers from top-tier teams if idle. The Colombian right-back and the Mallorcan defender could also attract interest from higher-level clubs if suitable deals materialize.

Fidel: “It’s time to stand up and get back to the category that this fan and this city deserve”

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Elche currently has thirteen players under contract. With the exception of Diego González, whose relationship ended in 2024 and who had limited playing time under Beccacece, a negotiated exit or transfer remains a possibility. The rest are still part of the club’s plans for the next campaign.

Good poster in First Division

Despite some hopeful signs, Edgar Badía, Lucas Boyé, Mascarell and Pere Millas may be hard to retain. Bragarnik will explore offers that make sense, and Boyé’s future remains uncertain. The other three have signaled willingness to stay in Segunda if the project proves competitive and credible enough to pursue promotion.

Other players under contract include Carlos Clerc, Lautaro Blanco, Nico Fernández, Raúl Guti, Fidel, Tete Morente, Ponce and Jhon Chetauya. They are expected to be in the squad next season; however, competition for places may bring changes between Lautaro and Nico, and a potential move could free up room for youth prospects such as Salinas, who is on loan at Mirandés.

END OF CONTRACT

Gerard Gumbau

Helibelton Palacios

Pedro Bigas

Gonzalo Gave

Josan Ferrandez

Enzo Roco

Lisandro Magallán

Axel Werner

Pape Sheikh

ASSIGNED

Alex Collado

Pol Lirola

Jose Angel Carmona

Randy Nteka

APPLICABLE AGREEMENT

Edgar Badía (2025)

Diego González (2024)

Carlos Clerc (2024)

Omar Mascarell (2025)

Raul Guti (2025)

Fidel Chavez (2024)

Tete Morente (2024)

Father Milla (2025)

Lucas Boyé (2024)

Ezequiel Ponce (2026)

Lautaro Blanco (2027)

Nico Fernández (2027)

John Chetauya (2025)