Getafe enter the 2026/27 campaign at a crossroads. José Bordalás, the architect of the club’s remarkable rise from Segunda División to European contention, remains at the helm for a tenth season across two spells. Yet the squad that secured a seventh-place finish and Conference League qualification last season has been stripped of its midfield heartbeat. Luis Milla and Mauro Arambarri, the twin pillars of Bordalás’ engine room for years, both departed this summer. Their replacements arrive with pedigree but also with questions. This is the definitive guide to the current Getafe squad.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: José Bordalás
Tactical Philosophy: Bordalás remains the ultimate disruptor in an increasingly sterile, possession-obsessed La Liga. His Getafe side is built on defensive solidity, tactical fouling, and ruthless efficiency from set-pieces. The 5-3-2 shape has become his default, a system that prioritises compactness in central lanes and forces opponents wide before suffocating them in the air. Getafe’s defensive solidity score of 53 reflects their continued commitment to the darker arts of the game. Bordalás has publicly acknowledged the challenge of replacing Milla and Arambarri, the two midfielders who “governed the centre of the pitch” for so many seasons. The new-look engine room will be anchored by Djené Dakonam, the captain who has been converted from centre-back to defensive midfielder, a testament to Bordalás’ pragmatism.
Preferred Formations: 5-3-2 is the default, with the capacity to shift to a 5-2-1-2 or 4-4-2 depending on game state. The system relies on aggressive wing-backs, a physical back three, and two strikers who work in tandem.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Getafe’s summer was defined by financial constraints and the need to replace departing stalwarts. The club made nine signings, but many were free transfers or loan deals, reflecting the ongoing salary cap complications that have plagued the club’s recent windows. The collapse of Christantus Uche’s loan to Crystal Palace, which included a €20 million purchase obligation if he started ten matches, denied Getafe crucial income and forced a recalibration of their financial plans.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nemanja Gudelj | Defensive Midfielder | Sevilla | Free |
| Orel Mangala | Central Midfielder | Lyon | Undisclosed |
| Martín Satriano | Striker | Lyon | Loan made permanent |
| Ramón Terrats | Central Midfielder | Espanyol | Undisclosed |
| Mario Martín | Central Midfielder | Real Madrid | Loan made permanent |
| Zaid Romero | Centre-Back | Club Brugge | Loan made permanent |
| Andrés García | Right-Back | Aston Villa | Loan |
| Saba Sazonov | Centre-Back | Torino | Free |
The headline additions reflect Bordalás’ desire for physicality and experience. Nemanja Gudelj arrives on a free transfer from Sevilla, bringing seven years of La Liga experience and the versatility to operate in midfield or defence. The 34-year-old Serbian international was signed specifically to fill the void left by Arambarri, offering duel-winning ability and long-range shooting. Orel Mangala, signed permanently after a loan spell, provides intelligence and ball-winning in central areas. Martín Satriano’s permanent arrival from Lyon was completed after a successful loan spell in which he scored six crucial goals. Ramón Terrats arrives from Espanyol to add energy and progressive passing to the midfield. Mario Martín, whose loan from Real Madrid was made permanent, represents a long-term investment in a young midfielder. Andrés García arrives on loan from Aston Villa to provide cover at right-back following Juan Iglesias’ departure to Sevilla.
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
David Soria (#13): The undisputed number one and one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga. Soria signed a contract extension this summer, ending speculation about his future. The 33-year-old is a “safety net under the posts” and a leader in the dressing room. His shot-stopping and command of the penalty area are foundational to Bordalás’ defensive structure.
Jiří Letáček (#1): The Czech goalkeeper provides capable cover, having been with the club for several seasons. He will see limited minutes behind Soria but is trusted by the manager.
Jorge Benito (#35): A young academy goalkeeper providing third-choice depth.
Defenders
Djené Dakonam (#2): The captain and “general.” Djené has been at Getafe for nine seasons and has been deployed by Bordalás in both central defence and defensive midfield. His tactical fouling, duel-winning, and leadership are central to the team’s identity. He signed a contract extension, committing his future to the club.
Abdel Abqar (#5): The Moroccan centre-back is a defensive “safe” and one of the first names on the teamsheet. His cutting interceptions, recovery pace, and one-on-one defending make him indispensable in the back three.
Zaid Romero (#24): The Argentine centre-back is a complete defender: strong in the air, aggressive in the tackle, and surprisingly bold with the ball at his feet. He can break pressure by carrying into midfield, adding a dimension that most Bordalás defenders lack.
Sebastián Boselli (#15): The Uruguayan defender is a threat from set-pieces, his aerial ability making him a target in both boxes. He knows his role and executes it without complication.
Saba Sazonov (#4): The Georgian centre-back arrives on a free transfer with significant question marks. A knee ligament injury has limited him to just two minutes of first-team football over the past two years. If he can regain fitness, his physical profile suggests he could be an important rotation option.
Kiko Femenía (#17): The right wing-back offers tireless running and delivery from wide areas. His contract expires in nine months, making his future a priority for the club.
Andrés García (#21): The loan signing from Aston Villa provides cover at right-back. His ability to push forward and defensive security make him a capable alternative to Femenía.
Johan Mojica (#22): The Colombian is a “plane on the left wing,” offering quality, street football flair, and dangerous crossing. His experience and attacking thrust make him a key outlet.
Davinchi (#3): The young Spanish defender is a defensive “pirana,” specialising in one-on-one duels with wingers. His decision-making is still developing, but his potential is significant.
Diego Rico (#16): The experienced left-back provides depth, though his contract situation requires attention.
Midfielders
Nemanja Gudelj (#8): The summer’s marquee signing. Gudelj arrives from Sevilla with seven years of La Liga experience and the versatility to play in midfield or defence. His duel-winning, long-range shooting, and leadership were specifically sought to replace Arambarri. At 34, he brings the experience and tactical intelligence Bordalás demands.
Orel Mangala (#23): The Belgian midfielder joined from Lyon and offers intelligence in using his body and detecting spaces. A good recoverer and launchpad for attacks, Mangala’s physicality suits Bordalás’ pressing structure.
Ramón Terrats (#11): The former Espanyol midfielder adds energy and progressive passing to the engine room. His ability to link defence and attack is valuable in a squad that lacks creativity.
Mario Martín (#6): The young midfielder signed permanently from Real Madrid after a loan spell. He represents a long-term investment and provides depth in central areas.
Francho Serrano (#16): The academy graduate provides energy and tactical discipline in central areas.
Christantus Uche (#20): The Nigerian returns to Getafe after his loan to Crystal Palace failed to trigger a permanent move. Uche’s disappointing spell in the Premier League has left him with a point to prove. Deployed as a second striker or attacking midfielder, his physicality and driving runs could be a differential in Bordalás’ system.
Forwards
Martín Satriano (#10): The Uruguayan striker is the new focal point of Getafe’s attack and the designated penalty taker. Satriano scored six crucial goals during his loan spell last season and has been rewarded with a permanent move from Lyon. His penalty style is described as “pura potencia y colocación,” reminiscent of Arambarri’s no-nonsense approach. He is expected to lead the line in the 5-2-1-2.
Borja Mayoral (#9): The former Real Madrid striker remains a reliable goalscorer when fit. His movement and finishing make him a valuable partner for Satriano.
Enes Ünal (#19): The Turkish striker takes free-kicks and penalties, though Satriano has now claimed the primary spot-kick duties. Ünal’s contract situation and role in the squad remain fluid.
Juanmi (#7): The experienced forward provides depth and a different profile in attack.
Abu Kamara (#11): The young forward returned from his loan at Hull City and provides pace and directness as a rotation option.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Djené Dakonam
The Togolese defender has been at Getafe for nine seasons and is the undisputed leader of the dressing room. His willingness to play in midfield when required exemplifies his commitment to the team. Djené wants to continue and has hinted at positive news regarding his future.
The Leadership Committee: David Soria, Kiko Femenía, and Nemanja Gudelj provide leadership across the squad. Gudelj’s experience at Sevilla and his Serbian international pedigree make him a natural voice in the dressing room.
Homegrown Quota Check: Getafe’s academy has produced several first-team players, including Davinchi, Francho Serrano, and Jorge Benito. The club’s most notable summer academy addition, however, was the signing of David Sánchez from Real Madrid’s La Fábrica. The twelve-year-old, compared to Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi, chose Getafe over interest from several major clubs because his family prioritised remaining in the Madrid region and valued the club’s development plan.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview: Getafe’s financial situation is precarious. The collapse of Christantus Uche’s loan to Crystal Palace denied the club a projected €20 million income, forcing a recalibration of their financial structure. The club had factored in that revenue when planning their budget, and the Madrid Commercial Court’s ruling against Getafe’s appeal for temporary financial flexibility has compounded the problem. Getafe operate with one of the lowest salary caps in La Liga, and the nine signings were achieved through free transfers and loan deals rather than significant expenditure.
Contract Red Alerts: Kiko Femenía and Andrés García both enter the final nine months of their contracts, and the club must either renew or begin the search for replacements. Diego Rico, Allan Nyom, and Domingos Duarte also face uncertain futures. The club’s inability to generate transfer income from Uche has made the retention of key assets even more critical.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch: David Sánchez Miralles is the name to monitor, albeit as a long-term project. The twelve-year-old midfielder left Real Madrid’s La Fábrica to join Getafe, a reversal of the usual direction of talent flow in Spanish football. His family prioritised the club’s methodology, values, and supportive environment over the prestige of the Bernabéu badge. Ives Valou, signed from Villarreal B, is a young defender with a promising future. Davinchi, already established in the first-team squad, is the most immediate academy success story.
Notable Out on Loan: Several academy players have departed on loan to gain senior experience, though specific names remain limited in available information.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Martín Satriano (First Choice) / Enes Ünal (Second Choice). Satriano is the new designated penalty taker following the departures of Luis Milla and Mauro Arambarri.
Direct Free-Kicks: Enes Ünal / Nemanja Gudelj.
Corners & Crosses: Johan Mojica is the primary deliverer from the left, with Kiko Femenía and Ramón Terrats offering alternatives. Sebastián Boselli and Abdel Abqar are the primary aerial targets.
For Fantasy La Liga managers, Martín Satriano is the standout Getafe asset, combining penalty duties with a proven goalscoring record. David Soria’s clean-sheet potential, underpinned by Bordalás’ defensive structure, makes him a viable goalkeeper option. Nemanja Gudelj’s duel-winning and long-range shooting could yield bonus points if he adapts quickly.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
Getafe enter the 2026/27 season with the same manager, the same tactical identity, but a significantly altered squad. The departures of Milla and Arambarri removed the creative and defensive heart of the midfield, and their replacements—Gudelj, Mangala, Terrats, and Martín—are a different breed of player: more physical, less technical, but perhaps better suited to Bordalás’ demands.
The return of Christantus Uche is a double-edged sword. His pace and power could be a genuine differential in a team that lacks attacking creativity, but his confidence may be fragile after a disappointing spell at Crystal Palace. If Bordalás can rebuild him, Uche could be the X-factor.
The defence remains the foundation. Soria, Djené, Abqar, and Romero form a solid spine, and the back three system suits their attributes. The Conference League campaign adds a third competition to an already demanding calendar, and squad depth will be tested.
The primary concern is goals. Satriano is the only proven striker, and Mayoral’s fitness record is unreliable. If Satriano suffers a significant injury, Getafe’s attacking threat diminishes considerably. The margin between European contention and relegation is fine, and Bordalás knows it. The architect of Getafe’s miracle will need all his pragmatism to navigate the season ahead.
