Hercules wrapped up the first week of preseason with four arrivals and eight players retained from the previous squad. The club chose a calm approach, believing that steady, measured steps yield better long-term results than rushing through the process. A lingering question remains whether the noticeable delay in sports planning will cast a shadow over the project for the 2022/23 campaign.
Right now, Hercules finds itself near the back of the pack in several organizational matters, with a long road ahead. Toscano, César Moreno, Raúl Ruiz, and Sergi Molina are the holdovers from last year, while Carlos Abad, Felipe Chacartegui, Víctor Eimil, and Jack Harper are the four new additions. At this stage, more was expected, even after a month and a half break following the season’s end. In the last week, the sports management led by Paco Peña has secured only one signing, that of British midfielder Harper. The schedule remains unwritten and the league start feels distant, placing Alicante’s team at a disadvantage compared to its rivals.
Among the 18 clubs in group 3 of the second RFEF, only one team appears more unsettled than Hercules: Costa Brava, now Badalona Futur, which formalized its acquisition last Thursday. The operation seems linked to Toni Freixa, former Barcelona director, with whom Hercules was connected just a year ago. In the coming days, the full implications will unfold, including whether Badalona Futur has chosen Oriol Alsina’s Costa Brava as its base of operations, which could shift the balance in the group.
Transfermarkt data suggest the other clubs in the group are managing their rosters with less turbulence than Hercules and the new Badalona project. The next step in roster development is Terrassa, currently at 17 players, with nine coming from the Blues and Whites.
Lleida Esportiu is at 18, followed by Ebro, Teruel, and Peña Deportiva at 19, with Formentera and Alzira at 20, Manresa and Olot at 21, Prat at 23, Atlético Saguntino at 24, and Ibiza Pitiusas Islands at 25. This spread reflects the varying levels of roster depth across the league. Subsidiaries of larger clubs like Zaragoza, Valencia, Espanyol, and Mallorca provide data that are not yet verified, as some players are in the senior level while others are still with the junior squads in preseason. It all points to a league that promises intrigue and movement once the market swings fully into gear.
a lot to sign
Facing this landscape, Hercules will need to maneuver adeptly over the next month to complete a competitive roster. The club risks losing ground in certain operations that may have progressed from June into July, especially if other teams finalize deals quickly. Ángel Rodríguez presently has one goalkeeper in the squad, Carlos Abad, so the need to bring in additional cover is clear. On defense, the right-back slot looks the most settled, with Raúl Ruiz and Eimil providing options. Sergi Molina remains a single center-back alongside Chacartegui, a left-back by trade. Peña must address the defense by adding two central defenders and another left-back to complete the base starting lineup.
In midfield, only Moreno and Toscano are confirmed as of now. If the Italian recovers fully from injury, both could feature in Rico Pérez’s engine room, but the team will likely require midfield versatility to balance different profiles and playing styles. The market will be tested to find complementary players who can offer different speeds, passing angles, and defensive cover that the current duo cannot supply alone.
Up front, Rodríguez currently relies on the potential of Malaga’s youth product Harper, a 26-year-old who previously spent time with Racing de Santander, where he started just a single match in the prior season. Given the limited first-team minutes last year, Hercules must act decisively in the market to secure a trusted attacking option. Additionally, the club plans to enroll six players under 23 in its squad pool. Of the eight Herculanos on the roster, only César Moreno and Sergi Molina are under 23, underscoring the need for young talent to be integrated and developed over the coming months.