Three weeks remain before the start of the pre-season, and Hercules faces a substantial amount of work. The blue and white club began tackling squad changes soon after Chacartegui, Ander Vitoria, Sergio Marcos, and Mario Gómez were dismissed, but the current market is not yielding the pieces the team needs to enter the new season in the fourth tier. Progress has slowed, leaving leadership hopeful yet uncertain about the goals for the upcoming campaign.
Lolo Escobar’s plan still requires many components before it can kick off preparation. While there is a clearer pace than last season, the project demands extensive action to shape a team that raises several questions and concerns about its viability in the near term.
Hercules is urgently aiming to sign a leading striker
Caesar Hernandez
At present, Hercules lists 11 senior players, but doubts linger about whether Molina and Jean Paul will obtain licenses or depart on loan. If they leave, the club would need seven more senior players to reach a total of 16, the maximum allowed in the Second Federation. For the under-21s, the blue and white squad currently fields César Moreno and Salah and can add four more players, including a goalkeeper, to compete with Carlos Abad, who recently renewed his contract. By season’s end, the Canary Islands-born goalkeeper had been among the team’s standout performers. The club, however, aims to finalize its squad structure before deciding whether there will be room for additional arrivals. Raul Ruiz indicated that salaries must be lowered further to fit the blue and white budget, and Mark Mendes marked Hercules’ fourth signing in the lead-up to next season, following the signings of the full-backs Alfonso Candelas and midfielders Roger Colomina and Carlos de la Nava. There are already four new faces in the blue and white lineup, underscoring the significant work ahead to assemble a clearly competitive squad, a clear objective for Hercules as it prepares to compete in Group III once again.
Hercules remains optimistic that the market will rally a month into pre-season
Pedro Rojas
The club’s strategy centers on a thorough evaluation of the market for forwards and defenders, addressing the team’s most persistent weaknesses from the past year. Hercules refuses to rush decisions or overpay for players, instead pursuing value and fit. There is also a belief that some targets may be reluctant to join the blue and white setup. In terms of contract continuity, the club notes that Riera’s departure seems to have been driven by his silence despite the agreement on financial terms reached weeks earlier. The defender is hoping for a higher level opportunity, which reduces the likelihood of renewal in the current squad. As a result, Hercules is actively seeking alternative guarantees and options to ensure a solid defensive base while maintaining flexibility in the attack. The front office remains focused on assembling a balanced roster that can compete across the divisions and deliver consistent performances throughout the season.