A prime moment arrives for Elche as the club prepares to defend its colors in La Liga with confidence and clear intent. After long stretches of duty and duty shifts, Mourad and José Salinas join Beccacece’s squad for pre-season work, aiming to cement their spots and help push the club toward top-flight success. The focus is on quality, discipline, and the belief that the season can be a turning point for the squad under the current coaching regime.
In the competition for places, Mourad sits behind the primary forwards in the pecking order, with Boyé, Ponce, and Pere Milla ahead as the first line of attack. As the market unfolds, the club surveys its options, waiting to see how the roster will shape up. Salinas, meanwhile, faces a demanding early challenge: a potential clash with Lautaro Blanco for the left-back berth. Clerc and Nico Fernández Mercau are also known options in the back line, but Beccacece has used Clerc more as a central defender and has deployed Nico in a more advanced, interior role. This setup could open a path for a youth prospect to become the second left-back on the squad and realize a long-held dream of earning consistent first-team minutes. The player has built a reputation for reliability during time with Unionistas de Salamanca, where he stood out as one of the best left-backs in the First RFEF over the last two seasons, and with Mirandés, where he began last year, demonstrating readiness and capability at a higher level. LaLiga remains a high-stakes arena in which this young talent could prove decisive.
The club views this asset as both an immediate contributor and a future cornerstone. That is why a renewal was extended through 2025, signaling strong belief in the potential of the young squad. High hopes are placed on these players as they step into the pre-season phase, where performances will determine whether they can break into the regular rotation and contribute to sustained success.
Last season Mourad spent time on loan at Burgos, where he delivered three goals and played a significant role. He previously spent two seasons with Alcoyano, performing admirably. The striker, who netted four goals under coach Vicente Parras, made a positive impact during his spell at El Collao. A summer extension was negotiated to keep him under contract until 2025, enabling him to go on loan if opportunities outside Elche arose. If Mourad reaches 24 without securing a regular place in the Beccacece lineup, he could explore a move to another Second Division team, yet his determination to succeed with Elche remains evident as he faces the challenge of helping the squad climb back to the top tier. The sense within the group is that he and his teammates are ready to push for a return to the highest level.
Both Salinas and Mourad concluded the pre-season with efforts guided by Francisco’s approach, spending time on loan to Second Division teams to gain match experience and maintain sharpness during the early stages of pre-season. The strategic loan plan reflects the club’s intent to preserve development momentum while balancing the demands of breaking into a settled first team in a competitive league.