ELCHE NEWS

Pablo Piatti - Returns to squad Piatti (fitness) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Sevilla.

Impact Piatti makes his first squad of the season Saturday, though he likely still has some fitness concerns. He made nine appearances for Elche last season and isn't expected to find more playing time in the new campaign.

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Omar Mascarell - Joins Elche Mascarell joined Elche through the end of the 2021/22 season after leaving Schalke.

Impact Mascarell returns to Spain after spending six seasons in Germany between Eintracht Frankfurt and Schalke. As another versatile but defensive-minded option in the midfield, Mascarell may not have tremendous fantasy value at his newest destination, though he does add another talent to an already-solid area of the pitch for Los Franjiverdes.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dario Benedetto - Comes off bench in loss Benedetto put one shot on target in 27 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.

Impact Benedetto did something only Pere MIlla was able to do Sunday and that's put a shot on target. For him to do it in his debut is a good start for Benedetto, though everything will come down to if he can actually make an impact as a starter as well. Up next is a visit from Sevilla.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kiko Casilla - Concedes one in loss Casilla conceded one goal and made three saves during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.

Impact Casilla was never going to be the whole answer in Elche's goal to stay in La Liga for another season, but he's certainly made a difference with one goal conceded in two games. Should he even get a little bit of goalscoring support, look to Casilla as a potentially reliable asset over stretches of the coming months. Up next is a visit from Youssef En-Nesyri and Sevilla.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pedro Bigas - Leaves late in loss Bigas was replaced by Diego Gonzalez in the 86th minute of Sunday's 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid due to an undisclosed knock.

Impact Bigas has started each of the first two games this season since joining Elche but could now be unable to play. Should that happen, Diego Gonzalez is likely to make his first start in Saturday's match against Sevilla.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Helibelton Palacios - Logs five crosses in loss Palacios created one chance from five crosses (one accurate) during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.

Impact Palacios put up decent numbers in his first start of the season even with the loss, as the hosts sat back and conceded more than enough possession to get involved. The same situation isn't guaranteed to happen in the next match against Sevilla, though Palacios has shown decent attacking production if he can stay in the lineup.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fidel - Creates one chance in loss Fidel created one chance from four crosses (one accurate) during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.

Impact Fidel wasn't nearly as productive as he was in the first match against Athletic Club, but he still made his presence felt with a 59 completed passes -- good for the most among his club's attacking players. Heading into another tough game against Sevilla, Fidel's efforts will be key for his team's chances to record a positive result.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas Boye - Takes one shot in loss Boye put one shot off target and created one chance in 82 minutes of Sunday's 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.

Impact Boye has taken three shots through two games but two tougher defensive opponents have made it hard to generate any real momentum. That won't get any easier over the next few games, so it'll take an inspired performance from Boye to be worth much in fantasy.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dario Benedetto - Joins Elche on loan Benedetto was loaned to Elche on a season-long deal with an option to buy from Marseille.

Impact Benedetto seems like the first striker brought in to this club with a proper pedigree, but he's coming off a tough year with just five goals and three assists from 32 appearances. Should he be the answer to Elche's lack of consistency at striker, there's no reason not to expect him to play regularly and get help from the likes of Josan Fernandez and Fidel.

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pablo Piatti - Not ready to play Piatti is still working on his fitness and didn't participate in Wednesday's training session, according to Monserrate Hernandez of AS.

Impact Piatti likely needs until the Aug 28 much against Sevilla to properly recover his fitness, though it seems like that's been the story for much of his time with his current club.

AUGUST 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Raúl Guti - Ready for game two Guti participated in Wednesday's training session, according to Monserrate Hernandez of AS.

Impact Guti picked up a small muscular strain late into Monday's draw with Athletic Club but it won't seem to affect him just yet. He drew five fouls and conceded a yellow card of his own in that match, so his value isn't exactly the most ideal.

AUGUST 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Enzo Roco - Back in training Roco (undisclosed) returned to training during Wednesday's session and is on track to travel for Sunday's trip to Atletico Madrid, according to Monserrate Hernandez of AS.

Impact Roco picked up a knock in the season opener against Athletic Club but it doesn't seem to be anything serious if he only needed half of one week to return to training. Should he be able to play, Diego Gonzalez would likely make way from his chance to start against the reigning champions.

AUGUST 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kiko Casilla - Three saves in clean sheet Casilla kept a clean sheet while making three saves during Monday's 0-0 draw with Athletic.

Impact Casilla helped Elche earn a point on Monday by blanking Athletic Club. The keeper added three saves to the clean sheet as Elche will look for their first win in a tough matchup next week against defending champions Atletico Madrid.

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas Boye - Leads Elche with two shots Boye took two off target shots during Monday's 0-0 draw with Athletic.

Impact Boye was held off the scoresheet but wasn't alone as both teams failed to score on Monday. The forward didn't cross or create a chance but his two shots led Elche in the draw.

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Enzo Roco - Leaves with injury Roco was forced off in the second half of Monday's 0-0 draw with Athletic due to injury.

Impact Roco was forced off in the 62nd minute after succumbing to an undisclosed injury. More information should be known about the extent of injury ahead of Elche's next match at Atletico Madrid.

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Johan Mojica - Joining Elche permanently Mojica transferred to Elche from Girona on Sunday. He's committed to a three-year contract with his new club.

Impact Mojica split last season between Atalanta and Elche, though it was with Los Franjiverdes where he made his case with 14 starts from 17 appearances on the left flank. He'll compete with Helibelton Palacios for starts at left-back, though Mojica may have the first dibs with his new deal.

AUGUST 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Verdu - Extends contract by another season Verdu signed a contract extension with Elche through 2023, his club announced Thursday.

Impact Verdu logged two assists in 33 starts last season, keeping five clean sheets and making 52 interceptions along the way as Elche avoided relegation. If the defense improves even more following the arrival of Kiko Casilla, then Verdu may become a useful target from a bottom-half club.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Verdu - Plays in friendly Verdu featured in Wednesday's friendly against Tenerife.

Impact Verdu had undergone knee surgery in early-June and has since returned to preseason training. After starting in all 33 of his appearances last season, Verdu can be looked on with good expectations for his minutes during a second consecutive season in La Liga.

JULY 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Miguel Cifuentes - Leaves Elche Cifu has departed from Elche, he announced via Twitter on Tuesday.

Impact Cifu only made four starts from 11 appearances last season after originally coming through the youth system at Elche and playing for the club in three different stints. With him scheduled to join Ibizi, Cifu will change clubs again in order to continue his career.

JULY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kiko Casilla - Signs with Elche on loan Casilla signed with Elche from Leeds United on loan for the 2021/22 season.

Impact Casilla only made three appearances last season as Illan Meslier's backup but should have less difficulties becoming the starter for Los Franjiverdes, if he wins the job from Edgar Badia. This will be Casilla's first return to Spain since departing the Real Madrid system, though he was often a backup there as well or loaned out.

JULY 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Enzo Roco - Signs with Elche Roco signed a two-year contract with Elche on Friday.

Impact Roco first joined Elche during a different stint in the first division back in 2014 and returns again following a nomadic career in Mexico and Turkey. With familiarity as much as anything else, Roco will add further depth do the center-back position and be plenty busy whenever he gets the chance to play.

JULY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pedro Bigas - Joins Elche Bigas signed with Elche from Eibar on a two-year contract, his new club announced Thursday.

Impact Bigas made 19 starts from 21 appearances last season but an injury held him to a single game after February. He'll provide further depth as a central-defender or left-back, though he won't have much value unless he secures a starting spot for the entire season.

JULY 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Verdu - Out six weeks Verdu underwent surgery on his MCL on Wednesday and is expected to be out for six weeks.

Impact Verdu should be back in time for next season after recovering from this operation. He was one of the most consistent defensive players for his club with 33 starts over the past campaign but needs more help to turn that availability into reliable fantasy value.

JUNE 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Verdu - Undergoing surgery on MCL Verdu is set for surgery Thursday for an MCL injury, his club announced Monday.

Impact Since surgery is needed, Verdu is probably out for the next month or two. That shouldn't rule him out for the start of next season just yet, though it's a situation worth monitoring by August.

MAY 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE