Three weeks before LaLiga kicks off, Elche’s attack is left with only one in-form striker, Pere Milla, and he is not a natural centre-forward. Worries grew when Lucas Boyé rejoined training with an unresolved adductor issue. The Argentine forward has been battling a muscle tear in a stubborn, slow-to-heal area. The injury first appeared on April 3 in the Athletic Bilbao vs Elche match, around the 15th minute when he signalled for a substitution with clear thigh pain.
Since then Boyé has endured a persistent problem that never fully leaves him. He opted against surgery and even sought opinions outside the club, choosing a gentler treatment approach. Now, as the new season approaches, it is evident that Boyé will not feature in LaLiga’s opening games. A surgical option remains on the table, but the final decision rests with the player, who has yet to choose his path.
If surgery is needed, the layoff would stretch beyond three months. A full comeback would wait until after the winter break, meaning 16 league fixtures could be missed and the timing would scarcely coincide with a critical phase for the team. If conservative methods prevail, a quicker return is possible, but nothing is guaranteed, especially after current treatments have failed to produce progress.
Boyé missed numerous matches last season due to a string of injuries. It began with an ankle issue, then hamstring trouble, followed by a strained biceps femoris, and finally quadriceps discomfort. He has not featured in the previous 14 LaLiga games, and the pattern repeats just as pre-season gets underway.
Boyé is a consummate professional on and off the pitch. Day after day, training session after training session, tactical meetings, meals, every moment is a learning opportunity and a display of dedication. The Argentine is known for his seriousness, diet discipline, and peak physical conditioning. He has repeatedly shown a hunger for goals, paired with a rare level of commitment that elevates those around him. The Almería coach praised him after his arrival, noting the impact he has on competitiveness and his high level of talent.
Last Friday, concerns resurfaced as Boyé left group practice at the Díez Iborra field. The club said the load was eased as a precaution, though the original adductor discomfort lingered. In a friendly with Leganés on Saturday, he could not wear shorts, signaling another setback. The question now is how Elche will navigate this setback and what concrete steps will be taken to address the recurring issue.
The forward is described as a physical marvel: standing 1.81 meters tall and weighing about 80 kilograms, with a high muscle mass. He thrives in duels, shielding the ball, and driving into contact with defenders. In the pre-season, medical staff worked to shield him, yet the pain persisted, even in a late group session. He has only logged a few minutes in a friendly against Villarreal B, scoring a penalty and showing effort, but clearly not feeling fully at ease.
Elche and Boyé enter a crucial week that could shape the team’s future. A training camp at the La Finca Golf Resort in Algorfa will proceed, with the forward aiming to stay with his teammates. However, he will not participate in group training or the two friendlies scheduled for the week. The club faces a long-term challenge as the squad tries to adapt without a fully fit frontline. The club is also cautious about Ezequiel Ponce, who remains hampered by hamstring injuries.
After three weeks of pre-season, Ponce is expected to join teammates in Algorfa today or tomorrow. Another forward in a similar situation, Javier Pastore, is also dealing with muscle issues but should begin training at a pace comparable to his teammates, pending the outcome of the camp.
Elche must bolster its attacking options as soon as possible. In the winter, Benedetto and Lucas Pérez left, while Guido Carrillo’s contract expired in June. With Boyé, Ponce, and Pere Milla as the remaining forwards, the latter stands out as the only one in good physical shape, actively training and building rapport with colleagues. The head coach has signaled an openness to giving opportunities to promising academy players, especially in cup competitions, but the players must prove they can cope with higher-level demands.
The coach continues to trust the young talent and plans to keep him within the squad through the pre-season. There is consideration of leveraging him in certain scenarios, including cup ties, though maturity and consistency at the highest level remain targets yet to be achieved.
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