Villarreal preseason: Nine returning loanees to compete for spots as Romero readied for first-team role
Villarreal preseason will begin next week with nine players returning from loan to fight for places in the first team, led by Carlos Romero’s renewal and an incoming head coach assessment. (cadenaser.com)
Nine loanees return to compete in Villarreal preseason
Villarreal will welcome back nine players who spent last season out on loan as the club starts preseason preparations under new management. The group includes Carlos Romero, Ilias Akhomach, Thiago Fernández, Ramón Terrats, Álex Forés, Dani Requena, Thiago Ojeda, Víctor Moreno and Toni Tamarit. (cadenaser.com)
The returning cohort features a mix of youngsters and fringe first‑team prospects who must now convince the new coaching staff they belong at La Cerámica. The club has signaled that several of these players will be assessed in training and friendly matches to determine whether they remain in the squad, are loaned again, or moved on permanently. (cadenaser.com)
Carlos Romero’s contract renewal strengthens left-back options
Carlos Romero’s recent contract extension through 2031 underlines Villarreal’s intention to integrate him into the senior squad for the coming season. The left-back impressed on loan at Espanyol, and the renewal positions him as a primary candidate to inherit the role vacated by Alfonso Pedraza. (elgoldigital.com)
Pedraza’s move to Italian side Lazio leaves a clear vacancy at left-back and opens a direct pathway for Romero to challenge Sergi Cardona for a starting berth. The club and coaching staff will use preseason to test combinations and determine which profile best fits their tactical plans. (goal.com)
Iñigo Pérez to evaluate squad after his appointment as head coach
Iñigo Pérez, appointed Villarreal head coach on a three‑year deal in early June, will oversee evaluations during preseason and make final calls on the returning players. Pérez arrives from Rayo Vallecano, where he attracted attention for his work in La Liga and European competition, and Villarreal expect him to shape the squad in the weeks ahead. (villarrealcf.es)
The new coach’s brief includes integrating promising youth, pruning the roster, and readying the team for a demanding calendar. Pérez has indicated he will prioritize work ethic and tactical discipline, giving loan returnees a clear set of benchmarks to meet during training camp. (cadenaser.com)
Ilias Akhomach, Thiago Fernández and Dani Requena return with momentum
Akhomach, Thiago Fernández and Dani Requena arrive back with tangible minutes and performance growth from their loan spells, which bolsters their claims for first-team consideration. Akhomach featured for Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, Thiago Fernández spent time at Real Oviedo, and Requena logged regular appearances with Córdoba in the Segunda División. (cadenaser.com)
Their varied experiences—top‑flight minutes for Akhomach and competitive second‑tier exposure for Requena—provide Pérez with several technical and tactical options across midfield and wide positions. That practical development turns preseason into a competitive audition rather than a formality. (as.com)
Squad competition will determine further loans and transfers
Beyond Romero, no returning player is guaranteed a roster spot, which leaves several candidates likely to seek moves away from Villarreal either on loan or permanently. Club sources and local coverage suggest the majority of the nine will be assessed with the expectation that some will depart to continue their development elsewhere. (cadenaser.com)
Ramón Terrats, Álex Forés, Thiago Ojeda, Víctor Moreno and Toni Tamarit are seen as players with clearer paths through temporary deals or sales if first‑team opportunities do not materialize. The coming weeks will be decisive as the club reviews market interest and aligns individual plans with sporting objectives. (cadenaser.com)
Tactical implications for Pérez and Villarreal’s season planning
The composition of the final squad will shape Villarreal’s tactical flexibility and depth across the full season, making preseason selections strategically important. Pérez’s approach to rotations and his preferred formation will determine whether several of the returning loanees can be retained as valuable rotational players. (villarrealcf.es)
Villarreal’s hierarchy will balance short‑term competitive needs with the club’s long‑term development model, which historically emphasizes integrating academy graduates and loan‑trained players. The new coach’s early decisions will therefore have lasting implications for squad construction and the club’s transfer strategy. (villarrealcf.es)
What to watch during Villarreal’s preseason program
Expect the coaching staff to run a condensed evaluation schedule featuring training drills, tactical sessions and a series of friendly matches that will double as live auditions for the nine returning loanees. Individual performance, adaptability to Pérez’s system, and fitness levels will be scrutinized closely. (cadenaser.com)
Romero’s integration at left-back and competition for wide and midfield roles will be particular focal points given recent departures and contract renewals. Observers should track minutes played in friendlies and any early public statements from the club about roster decisions. (elgoldigital.com)
The returning players face a clear message: preseason will decide their immediate futures at Villarreal, and performances in training and friendly fixtures will dictate whether they stay, rejoin on loan, or move on permanently.
