Following a miraculous survival campaign under Luís Castro, Levante enters the 2026/27 season with a dramatically rebuilt squad, a club-record sale that reshaped the club’s finances, and the same objective as last year: to defy the odds and secure a place in La Liga for another season.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Luís Castro
Castro arrived at the Ciutat de València in December 2025 and immediately transformed Levante’s fortunes, guiding the club to a survival that had seemed improbable. Now entering his first full season in charge, the Portuguese coach has been granted the luxury of a pre-season and a squad built according to his specifications. Castro’s footballing principles are now firmly established: a 4-3-3 structure built on associative, brave football that emphasises ball control and collective effort over individual reliance. He has dismissed suggestions that Levante were overly dependent on departed striker Carlos Espí, insisting that goals have continued to flow during pre-season without him.
Tactical Philosophy
Levante under Castro operate with a defined 4-3-3 that prioritises possession and positional intelligence. The midfield trio is the engine room, with a dedicated pivot screening the defence while the two interior midfielders push forward to support the attack. The wide forwards are expected to stretch opposition defences, creating space for the central striker. Defensively, Castro demands collective commitment; Levante kept clean sheets against Osasuna and Málaga in the early weeks of the season, demonstrating the defensive organisation he has instilled. Set-pieces have been a notable weapon, with the 5-2 demolition of Real Betis showcasing the attacking potential when everything clicks.
Preferred Formations
4-3-3 in possession.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Levante’s summer was defined by the €25 million sale of Carlos Espí to Real Madrid, the second-largest transfer in the club’s history. That windfall transformed the club’s financial capacity and allowed sporting director Héctor Rodas to construct a squad of twelve new arrivals while still balancing the books. The strategy prioritised young talent with high potential—Musuayi, Requena, Sotelo, and a cohort of academy graduates—blended with experienced La Liga heads like Mandi, Ryan, and Toljan.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yanis Musuayi | Striker | Club Brugge | €2.5m |
| Enzo Bardeli | Central Midfielder | USL Dunkerque | Free |
| Aïssa Mandi | Center-Back | — | Free |
| Hugo Sotelo | Central Midfielder | Celta Vigo | Loan |
| Dani Requena | Central Midfielder | Villarreal | Loan |
| Matías Moreno | Center-Back | — | Loan |
| Alan Matturro | Center-Back | — | Loan |
| Kervin Arriaga | Central Midfielder | — | Loan |
| Goudini Koyalipou | Forward | — | Loan |
| Iker Losada | Attacking Midfielder | — | Loan |
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Mathew Ryan (#13): The Australian captain and World Cup veteran renewed his contract to remain at Levante for another season, a significant coup for a club of modest resources. At 34, Ryan’s experience and leadership provide a reassuring presence behind an evolving defensive line. Castro regards him as a trusted lieutenant, and his continuity from last season’s survival campaign is invaluable.
Pablo Cuñat (#1): The young goalkeeper has yet to feature this season but is viewed as the long-term successor to Ryan, with opportunities expected in the Copa del Rey.
Álex Primo (#32): The academy graduate provides third-choice cover and continues his development within the first-team environment.
Defenders
Adrián de la Fuente (#4): The El Escorial-born centre-back remains a commanding presence in Levante’s defensive line, his physicality and leadership central to Castro’s structure. He has started the season as a first-choice centre-back and represents continuity from the survival campaign.
Aïssa Mandi (#2): The Algerian international arrived on a free transfer, bringing extensive La Liga and international experience to the defensive core. His leadership credentials are such that Castro appointed him as the club’s fourth captain, a decision the coach defended as consensual and straightforward: “It’s very easy to choose Mandi as captain”.
Jeremy Toljan (#22): The German right-back remains a reliable presence on the right flank, his experience and defensive discipline providing balance.
Manu Sánchez (#23): The Celta Vigo loanee returned for a second season, having been a consistent performer last campaign. His regularity and reliability on the left flank make him a trusted option for Castro.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe (#3): The towering young defender, standing at 198cm, has earned a first-team squad number and represents the future of Levante’s defence. At just 18, his development continues under Castro’s guidance.
Nacho Pérez (#29): The academy graduate has impressed Castro sufficiently to earn minutes at right-back, competing with Toljan for the starting role.
Marc Santos (#33): The young defender has been declared a first-team player by Castro: “Marc Santos is a first-team player. Full stop.” His rapid rise reflects the academy’s productivity.
Jorge Cabello (#14): The left-sided centre-back returned from a productive loan at Mirandés and is working to earn his place in Castro’s plans, though he remains one of two outfield players yet to feature this season.
Midfielders
Oriol Rey (#20): The Catalan midfielder has become a crucial figure in Castro’s system, overcoming competition to establish himself as a near-undroppable presence in the engine room. His tactical intelligence and ability to dictate tempo provide the platform for Levante’s associative football.
Enzo Bardeli (#18): The French midfielder was Castro’s first signing of the summer and the only arrival confirmed before the club’s financial situation was transformed by Espí’s sale. Having worked under Castro at USL Dunkerque, Bardeli offers creativity, arriving in the box, and the ability to direct play from midfield.
Jon Ander Olasagasti (#8): The Basque midfielder contributes danger from deeper positions, supporting the attacking line with late runs and incisive passing.
Hugo Sotelo (#5): The Celta Vigo loanee arrived to compete for the defensive midfield role, his height (189cm) and composure offering a physical presence in front of the defence.
Dani Requena (#6): The Villarreal loanee adds further depth to the midfield rotation, his development benefiting from regular first-team exposure.
Víctor García (#17): The experienced midfielder provides La Liga know-how and tactical discipline within a youthful squad.
Alberto Calatrava (#38): The academy graduate continues his development within the first-team environment.
Forwards
Etta Eyong (#21): The Cameroonian striker is Levante’s attacking reference following Espí’s departure. He scored crucial goals last season, including the memorable winner against Osasuna, and Castro has expressed his commitment to maximising Eyong’s potential. His mobility, bravery, and courage make him the focal point of Castro’s attack.
Yanis Musuayi (#11): The 19-year-old Belgian arrived from Club Brugge as the club’s major attacking investment, a €2.5 million gamble on a player who had not yet made his senior debut. His profile—a natural successor to Espí—has impressed during pre-season, and Castro will manage his integration carefully.
Iván Romero (#9): The Spanish forward’s mobility and willingness to battle opposing centre-backs make him a favourite of Castro, who has utilised him extensively this season.
Kareem Tunde (#?): The young winger has been entrusted with the right-sided attacking role in Castro’s preferred XI, his pace and directness offering an outlet in transition.
Paco Cortés (#27): The 18-year-old academy graduate has earned Castro’s trust, featuring in the first-team squad and representing the next generation of Levante talent.
Thiago Fernández (#24): The Argentine forward arrived to provide additional attacking depth, though Castro has cautioned that it is “still early for him to be a starter”.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Unai Elgezabal (Departed)
The departure of Elgezabal, along with fellow captains José Luis Morales and Pablo Martínez, left a leadership void that Castro addressed by appointing a new captaincy structure. Brugué, Dela, and Iván Romero are expected to assume leadership responsibilities, with Mandi added as fourth captain.
The Leadership Committee
Dela’s leadership has been particularly notable, with the defender described as the “general captain” who steps forward during difficult moments. Mandi’s experience and Romero’s competitive spirit provide additional senior voices within a youthful dressing room.
Homegrown Quota Check
Levante’s commitment to youth is evident throughout the squad, with Marc Santos, Nacho Pérez, Paco Cortés, Alberto Calatrava, Dani Cervera, and Ihor Galdin all representing the academy within the first-team structure. Castro has demonstrated genuine willingness to trust young players, with Marc Santos declared a first-team player and Paco Cortés earning significant minutes.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview
The €25 million sale of Carlos Espí to Real Madrid transformed Levante’s summer. Castro acknowledged the necessity of the deal within the context of the club’s economic situation: “The club is doing the maximum possible to fix that”. Héctor Rodas expressed satisfaction with the work completed: “We are very happy with the work we have done because we have built a very competitive squad. Despite the minimal resources we have economically compared to other teams, we have made twelve signings”. The investment in Musuayi represents a calculated gamble on potential.
Contract Red Alerts
Securing the futures of the club’s most promising young assets, particularly Etta Eyong and Yanis Musuayi, will be a priority. The continued development of academy graduates like Marc Santos and Paco Cortés also requires careful contract management.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch
Marc Santos (#33) has been declared a first-team player by Castro, a remarkable endorsement for a 15-year-old defender. Paco Cortés (#27) has earned minutes in the first-team squad despite being just 18, his development progressing rapidly under Castro’s guidance. Nacho Pérez (#29) has competed for the right-back position, earning Castro’s trust through consistent performances.
Notable Out on Loan
Dani Martín joined SD Huesca on loan, Edgar Alcañiz moved to FC Cartagena, and Víctor Jr. departed for Valencia CF, with Levante ensuring their young talents gain regular senior minutes elsewhere.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Iván Romero (First Choice) / Etta Eyong (Second Choice).
Direct Free-Kicks: Carlos Álvarez / Enzo Bardeli.
Corners & Crosses: Manu Sánchez / Víctor García.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
Levante enters 2026/27 with the same objective as last season—survival—but with a squad that bears little resemblance to the one that achieved it. The €25 million sale of Carlos Espí provided the financial foundation for Castro’s rebuild, but it also removed the striker whose goals were central to last season’s escape.
The early-season evidence is mixed. A 5-2 demolition of Real Betis at the Ciutat demonstrated the attacking potential within Castro’s associative system, with nineteen shots and ten on target. But heavy defeats to Espanyol and Barcelona exposed the defensive vulnerabilities that remain, while goalless draws against Osasuna and Málaga highlighted the challenge of replacing Espí’s goalscoring output. Levante sit 17th after six matches with five points, a return that reflects both the promise and the problems.
The squad is young, perhaps the youngest in La Liga, and Castro’s faith in youth is both a strategy and a necessity. Marc Santos, Paco Cortés, and Nacho Pérez represent the future, while Musuayi and Eyong carry the burden of providing goals. The experience of Ryan, Mandi, and Toljan provides a necessary counterbalance.
The road ahead is unforgiving. Levante must find a way to grind out results when the football is not fluent, to defend with the resilience that kept clean sheets against Osasuna and Málaga, and to discover a reliable goalscorer from within a squad that has lost its most potent weapon. Castro has proven he can orchestrate a survival. Now he must prove he can do it from the start, with a squad of his own making.
