CD Castellón begins preseason training with squad overhaul, promotion push

At La Coma Sports City, around nine in the morning, the white-and-black footballers will step onto the grass. The first training sessions of the preseason open a new chapter in the summer of CD Castellón, which just over a month ago fell to Almería in the semifinal of the promotion playoff. Returning to fight for the top is the goal of the squad once again led, after his renewal, by coach Pablo Hernández.

The ball starts rolling today at La Coma. Castellón arrives at the first day of training with a good part of the summer work on track, but with several open fronts across all its lines.

Goalkeeping

In goal, the main novelty is the definitive promotion of Sergi Torner. The goalkeeper from l'Alcora, a regular starter in recent seasons for the reserve team, extended his contract with a spot on the first team. This move, combined with the consolidation of Romain Matthys as the starter after an outstanding season, could open the door for Amir Abedzadeh.

Defense

This will be one of the issues resolved as the days go by. Others have been managed by Castellón in advance. In defense, they executed the purchase option for Agustín Sienra, who solidifies a defense full of familiar faces (from right to left: Mellot, Brignani, Alberto, Lucas Alcázar, Tincho). In this line, the departure of captain Salva Ruiz, whose contract ended, and the loan of Ismael Fadel occurred; along with the signing of Juanjo Nieto for the right flank and the return of José Albert, after his loan at Ibiza, for the left flank.

Midfield

The changes have been deeper in midfield, as has been common in recent seasons. The forced goodbye of Beñat Gerenabarrena, who returns to Athletic after the loan, and the non-renewal of Ronaldo Pompeu leave reference player Diego Barri and the inconsistent Marc-Olivier Doué as the only pieces from last season. A sustained return of Albert Lottin seems unlikely.

In this line, Castellón has signed:

• Jari Vlak (ADO Den Haag) – a box-to-box midfielder named best player in the Dutch second division
• Álvaro Martín (Andorra) – playmaking and attacking midfield option
• Fran Castillo (Ibiza) – playmaking and attacking midfield option

Attack

In that offensive area, the white-and-black club faces one of its main challenges: compensating for the offensive production of Álex Calatrava (record transfer to Espanyol) and Brian Cipenga (who did not renew). It is not a simple matter. For now, to play out wide, Castellón has signed wingers:

• Iñigo Córdoba (Burgos) – one of the most sought-after free agents in the category
• Hamza Bellari (Eldense-Valencia Mestalla) – a bet on youth

In this offensive zone, World Cup player Awer Mabil is expected to join a bit later. Names like Raúl Sánchez, Israel Suero, Jakobsen, Pablo Santiago, and Douglas Aurélio continue, while Serpeta has gone out on loan again, Mamadou Traoré has been released, and De Nipoti does not continue. There are no developments, for now, in the forward line, with Ousmane Camara and Álvaro García.

Reserve Team Call-Ups

Additionally, three Castellón B players are called up for training:

• Iván Biarge (Terrassa) – goalkeeper, new signing this season
• Iago Parente (Valladolid) – defender, new signing this season
• Enric Gisbert – midfielder

Upcoming Schedule

As is logical at this point in the summer, Castellón will make more moves in and out until the summer transfer window closes. For now, the first week of training will culminate with a friendly at La Coma on Saturday (7:00 PM, against CE Sabadell).

Subsequently, after playing at Valencia's sports city against the local team on Saturday the 25th, Castellón will hold a training camp at the Royalverd facilities in the province of Girona, where they went last year. There, they will test themselves against:

• Girona (July 29)
• Deportivo Alavés (July 31)

Back in La Plana, the last two friendlies will be on the weekend before the start of the League:

• August 7 – Castellón visits the Rico Pérez to play against Hércules
• August 8 – Castellón hosts Levante at La Coma

Coaching Staff Changes

The new developments at CD Castellón will also affect the coaching staff led by Pablo Hernández, where the departures of Rody Hoegee and Carlos Gómez leave at least two vacancies. Hoegee, a specialist in set pieces, left the white-and-black club to return to his home country and work for Feyenoord, after a successful campaign. Gómez, the goalkeeper coach, also does not continue after seven years at Castellón.

Source: El Periódico de Mediterráneo