Málaga CF Squad Depth 2026/27: Full Team Analysis

Málaga CF return to La Liga with a squad that still carries much of the identity that earned promotion but has been strengthened with considerably more top-flight experience.

Juanfran Funes transformed Málaga last season after taking over during a difficult period. The team eventually finished fourth in Segunda División before defeating Las Palmas and Almería in the promotion playoffs. Rather than replace the promotion core, Málaga have supplemented it.

Fernando Calero and Juan Berrocal add experience at centre-back. José Salinas and Adam Aznou strengthen the left side of defence. Pablo Martínez and Jens Cajuste bring top-flight experience into midfield, while Carlos Dotor has returned on loan after playing an important role in promotion.

The central question is whether those additions provide enough protection around Málaga’s young attacking core for a full La Liga season.

Málaga CF’s 2026/27 Squad at a Glance

The main first-team options include:

Goalkeepers: Alfonso Herrero, Carlos López
Centre-backs: Einar Galilea, Ángel Recio, Fernando Calero, Juan Berrocal, Álex Pastor, Diego Murillo
Full-back options: Carlos Puga, Rafita, José Salinas, Adam Aznou
Central midfield: Jens Cajuste, Carlos Dotor, Pablo Martínez, Izan Merino, Dani Lorenzo, Ramón Enríquez, Rafa Rodríguez
Wide and creative attack: David Larrubia, Joaquín Muñoz, Juan Cruz, Haitam Abaida
Centre-forward: Chupe, Eneko Jauregi, Adrián Niño

Several academy players remain close to the senior group, continuing a development model that was central to Málaga’s promotion.

Goalkeeper Depth Depends Heavily on Alfonso Herrero

Alfonso Herrero remains the clear first choice. He was a major part of the promotion team and has started every league match so far. Carlos López provides the main senior alternative, but there is a substantial difference in first-team experience between the two.

That makes goalkeeper one of Málaga’s more obvious dependency positions. The club has adequate cover for Copa del Rey rotation or a short absence. A long spell without Herrero would represent a much bigger test.

Centre-Back Depth Has Improved Considerably

This was an important area to strengthen before returning to La Liga. Fernando Calero brings more than 140 appearances of top-flight experience and is comfortable progressing possession from defence. Juan Berrocal adds another defender with La Liga and Segunda experience.

They join Einar Galilea, Ángel Recio, Pastor and Murillo. Einar has remained heavily involved at the beginning of the season, while Recio has stepped successfully into the senior side and already started all four league matches.

The immediate problem is availability. Calero and Murillo are both currently sidelined, meaning Funes has not yet been able to use his full group of centre-backs.

Berrocal’s deadline-day arrival is therefore especially useful. Málaga now have enough natural defenders to absorb injuries without immediately moving a midfielder into the back line. Once Calero returns, competition should become much stronger.

Left-Back Is Much Deeper Than Last Season

José Salinas has already received meaningful La Liga minutes following his loan arrival. He combines defensive discipline with the ability to advance down the flank and has previous top-flight experience. Adam Aznou gives Funes a very different alternative.

The 20-year-old is quicker and more attack-minded, with experience in both the Bundesliga environment and La Liga from earlier in his career. That gives Málaga two legitimate left-back profiles rather than one starter and an emergency replacement.

On the right, Carlos Puga remains the established option, while academy product Rafita has also started league matches. The balance is good enough for a domestic schedule, although right-back is slightly less experienced than the left side.

Midfield Is Málaga’s Deepest Department

The addition of Jens Cajuste significantly changes this group. Cajuste brings Serie A, Premier League and Champions League experience as well as senior international football with Sweden.

His physical presence should be particularly valuable against La Liga teams capable of overwhelming younger midfields. Pablo Martínez adds another experienced option after playing extensively for Levante.

Carlos Dotor already understands Funes’ system after becoming a key member of the promotion team last season. Behind them, Málaga still have the young core that helped them reach the top flight.

Izan Merino offers physicality and positional intelligence. Dani Lorenzo brings creativity and technical quality. Ramón Enríquez and Rafa Rodríguez increase the rotation. Funes can therefore change his midfield without automatically lowering its level.

A Cajuste-Dotor-Martínez combination offers experience and physical strength. Izan or Dani Lorenzo can provide more continuity with last season’s system. That variety makes midfield the area best prepared for injuries and changes in form.

David Larrubia Remains the Main Creative Reference

Larrubia scored 12 goals during the promotion campaign and remains one of the players most capable of creating something individually. He can operate from wide areas or move inside to receive between midfield and defence.

Juan Cruz has returned to Málaga on loan and gives Funes another left-footed attacking player with previous La Liga experience. Joaquín provides direct running and pressing, while Haitam increases the options when fit.

The numbers are reasonable. The question is whether this group can reproduce its Segunda production against better defenders.

Málaga have creativity, but there is currently no established La Liga-level attacking star carrying the final third. Their attacking success will depend heavily on collective development.

Chupe Is Already Carrying Major Responsibility

Chupe was outstanding during the promotion season, scoring 25 league goals. That earned him the opportunity to lead the line in La Liga, and he has started all four opening matches.

He also scored Málaga’s only league goal so far, converting against Deportivo. Eneko Jauregi provides an experienced alternative and is now back in full training.

Adrián Niño gives Funes another young striker with goalscoring potential, although his early-season muscle injury has delayed his involvement. There are therefore three natural centre-forwards.

However, the quality of the department still depends heavily on whether Chupe can translate his Segunda scoring into consistent Primera División production. Jauregi and Niño give Funes alternatives, but neither currently removes the importance of his first-choice striker.

The Early Goal Return Highlights the Attacking Challenge

Málaga have scored only once in their opening four La Liga matches. They lost 2-0 at Atlético Madrid, drew 1-1 with Deportivo, lost 4-0 at Real Madrid and drew 0-0 with Levante.

The schedule has been difficult, particularly the away matches in Madrid, so four games should not be treated as a definitive judgment on the attack. But the early numbers do reinforce the main squad question.

Málaga have plenty of technically capable attackers. What they still need to prove is that enough of them can consistently produce goals and assists at La Liga level. That is more important than simply adding another forward to the squad list.

Injuries Are Currently Affecting Defence More Than Attack

Murillo and Calero remain out of team training, while Lobete and Aaron Ochoa are longer-term absentees. Jauregi’s return is useful because it restores another centre-forward option. The defensive injuries are more significant because Funes is still trying to establish a stable top-flight back line.

Berrocal’s arrival gives Málaga protection while Calero recovers, but integrating several new defenders while simultaneously adjusting to La Liga is not straightforward. This is where the expanded squad should help.

What Happens When Funes Rotates?

Midfield is the department best equipped to handle changes. Cajuste, Dotor, Pablo Martínez, Izan Merino, Dani Lorenzo, Ramón and Rafa provide numerous possible combinations.

Left-back is also reasonably secure through Salinas and Aznou. Central defence should become stronger once the injured players return. The larger quality drops appear in goal and attack.

Herrero remains much more experienced than his backup, while Chupe currently carries most of the proven goalscoring responsibility. Those are the two positions where Málaga would feel a major absence most clearly.

No European Football Makes the Squad More Manageable

Málaga only needs to balance La Liga and the Copa del Rey. That matters for a promoted club whose squad still contains numerous young players. Funes does not need two complete starting elevens.

He needs enough depth to survive injuries and suspensions while gradually introducing players to top-flight football. The current squad is large enough for that. The challenge is quality rather than quantity, particularly in the decisive areas at both ends of the pitch.

Overall Squad Depth Assessment

Overall Assessment: Competitive for a Promoted Team, With Midfield the Clear Strength

Málaga have approached promotion sensibly. They retained the academy-heavy core that created the team’s identity while adding experienced players in positions where the jump to La Liga could otherwise have been severe.

Cajuste and Pablo Martínez strengthen midfield significantly. Calero and Berrocal improve the centre-back options, while Salinas and Aznou create real competition at left-back. The main vulnerabilities are clearer.

Herrero remains difficult to replace in goal, while Málaga still depend heavily on Chupe becoming a reliable La Liga scorer. The squad is therefore not short of players. The season will depend more on whether the younger promotion core can adapt quickly enough to the increased level.

Conclusion

Málaga CF’s 2026/27 squad represents a sensible balance between continuity and reinforcement. Juanfran Funes still has the players who drove last season’s promotion, including Alfonso Herrero, Einar, Izan Merino, Dani Lorenzo, David Larrubia and Chupe.

Around them, Jens Cajuste, Pablo Martínez, Fernando Calero, Juan Berrocal, José Salinas, Adam Aznou and Juan Cruz provide experience and competition that did not exist during the promotion campaign.

Midfield now looks deep enough for La Liga, while the defensive options should improve as injured players return. The biggest unanswered question is goals.

If Chupe and the supporting attackers can make the step from Segunda to Primera, Málaga have enough depth elsewhere to give themselves a credible chance of handling their first season back among Spain’s elite.