All problems have a source, and while it’s not useful to dwell on wounds, understanding the root cause is a vital step toward future growth. At the moment, Elche is a team operating with a margin of -1 in UCI terms, where only urgent stabilization can prevent a total collapse, out of a possible 15. Knowing what happens forms the groundwork for avoiding repetitive mistakes. And there’s usually a clear reason behind every outcome. Or several.
The patient is Elche CF. Status: Very serious. Cure: Reset to the core essence. In football terms, all signs pointing to the Centennial club lead to the same conclusion. Maximum effort began without proper preparation, both physically and tactically, a fundamental truth across sports. How often have we started training too hard on day one, only to be forced to pause on day two because the pain was too much?
Elche has been following this path longer than ever before, not just because it competes in the First Division, but to secure a place in the top tier for a third consecutive year. In the first season, promotion was secured on August 23. The LaLiga debut happened on the third matchday, September 26, barely a month after. In 2021, the club narrowly avoided disaster on the final day of games. This time, virtual safety was achieved five days from the end when a 0-1 loss to Betis on April 19 helped set the plan in motion.
ALWAYS BEFORE
advance planning
By late April, media outlets began querying the club about next-season plans. Will Francisco remain? Will the architects of liberation stay on board? Which signings would the club pursue to balance the Centennial with rising sporting momentum? Will Elche aim for more than mere survival?
The pre-season kicked off on July 4. Transfermarkt records show Elche had solidified the backbone of the previous season and stood as the most valued squad in the league. Centennial, a fan base with longer planning horizons, began early, solidified the plan, and left a visible imprint on supporters. It seemed everything was lining up, though the reality told a different story.
INJURY
Boyé’s absence loomed large. He carried adductor discomfort since mid-season and missed much of the second phase. Concerns of possible surgery hung over him, yet the striker pushed hard to recover. He rejoined interviews on day two but appeared rusty and short of form.
OTHER LOSSES
Beyond Boyé, several notable players faced setbacks in pre-season. Pedro Bigas and Eze Ponce dealt with muscle issues, missing substantial portions of training. Pastore managed only a single summer training session. Verdú needed surgery in early August after a brief relapse from a torn adductor. He may return soon, but as of now, he has not. In total, five pre-season or nearly pre-season starts were missed. To cap it off, Fidel suffered a knock and rested three days.
MINUTE TRANSFERS
Only Nico joined the fold for action.
Six of Bragranik’s seven new signings for Elche del Centenario arrived with little to no match time, coming off injuries (Clerc), or having sat out friendlies, or having long gaps with former clubs (Fernández, Collado, Lirola, Quina, Roger). Nico Fernández remains the lone name from Argentina significantly distant from LaLiga pace.
LATE ATTACHMENTS
Algorfa’s camp featured Clerc as the sole representative. Elche’s pre-season proved eventful beyond injuries. The coaching staff leaned on many players from the reserve team or on loan, or picked up players from other clubs like Mourad or Josema. The common thread: there were no new faces. Carlos Clerc, unused by Levante for six months, joined the camp in Algorfa. Collado arrived just before the league opener after a brief appearance against Barça, Pol Lirola arrived with the group and didn’t feature, as did Domingos Quina who came in on day two. Fede Fernández and Nico were added late after Mojica’s departure. The first arrived nearly two years after joining his previous league.
CHANGE
Part two and Boyé
With all these conditions—and the calendar’s complexity—it remains early in the pre-season. Substitutions during mid-match moments and occasional system shifts reflect that. The squad needs a sustained, typical summer preparation, more friendly matches, and a return to normal rhythms for one of the most demanding competitions in the world. Yet there are already signs of hope. The second half against Athletic and Boyé’s 90 minutes on the field for the first time in months signal that a team has worked hard to discover its identity and to belong among the best.
All problems have a source, and while nursing wounded pride is pointless, getting to the root of the issue remains essential for future growth. The team is currently navigating a precarious position, where only immediate stabilization can prevent a total breakdown, out of 15 potential points. Understanding this sequence lays the groundwork for avoiding repeat mistakes. And there is always a reason for every outcome. Or several.
The patient: Elche CF. Status: Very serious. Cure: Reset to the core essence. In football terms, every symptom the Centennial club exhibits leads to the same conclusion. Maximum effort started without proper prep, both physically and tactically, a fundamental truth across sports. How many times have we started training too aggressively and paid for it the next day?
Elche has adhered to this course longer than ever in the top division, aiming to secure a top-flight presence for a third year. In the first season, promotion arrived on August 23. The LaLiga debut came on September 26, on the third match day. Just a month later. In 2021, the club scraped through in the final stretch. This time, safety was secured five days before the end with a 0-1 defeat to Betis on April 19 setting the tone.
ALWAYS BEFORE
advance planning
By late April, the media still pressed for details about next season. Will Francisco stay? Will the liberation architects stay on? What signings would the club pursue to balance the Centennial with rising momentum? Will Elche push beyond mere survival?
The prep season began on July 4. Transfermarkt indicates Elche had become the backbone of the prior season and the league’s most valued squad. Centennial, a fan base with long-term planning, started early, consolidated, and left a mark on supporters. Everything looked set. Yet the reality remained different.
INJURY
Boyé’s lingering issue remained a concern. He carried adductor discomfort since mid-championship and missed much of the second phase. A potential surgery hovered, delaying his goals. Yet the striker pushed through, returning early and showing resilience, though not yet peak form.
OTHER LOSSES
Besides Boyé, several players faced summer setbacks. Bigas and Ponce struggled with muscle problems, missing large portions of preparation. Pastore managed only one training session. Verdú required surgery after a brief recovery from a torn adductor. He may play soon, but not yet. In total, five pre-season or near-pre-season starts were skipped, and Fidel ended with a knock and a brief rest.
MINUTE TRANSFERS
Just Nico arrived to contribute.
Six of Bragranik’s seven new additions for Elche del Centenario arrived with little to no match time, coming from injury (Clerc) or lacking friendlies, or having lengthy gaps with previous clubs (Fernández, Collado, Lirola, Quina, Roger). Nico Fernández remains the lone representative from Argentina far behind the LaLiga pace.
LATE ATTACHMENTS
Algorfa’s camp featured Clerc as the lone local. Elche’s pre-season remained eventful with injuries and a reliance on reserve players or new signings from other teams like Mourad or Josema due to the lack of fresh faces. Clerc, who hadn’t played for Levante in six months, joined the camp in Algorfa. Collado arrived just before the league opener after a brief cameo against Barça; Lirola joined with the squad and did not feature, as did Quina who arrived on day two. Fede Fernández and Nico were brought in late following Mojica’s departure. The arrival of the first two happened nearly two years after joining their prior leagues.
CHANGE
Part two and Boyé
Elche, amid all these circumstances and a calendar that is exceptionally complex, remains in the pre-season phase. In truth, some mid-game substitutions and tactical shifts reflect this reality. The team requires countless refinements, a more typical summer build-up, more friendlies, and a schedule that resembles the world’s most demanding leagues. Yet there are already signs of optimism. The second half against Athletic and Boyé’s 90 minutes on the field for the first time in months indicate a team that has pushed hard to define its identity and stay among the elite.