New York City FC: Commercial pitfall dictates David Villa replacement

New York City FC must find a way of replacing David Villa, the face of the franchise and the club’s greatest player. But their hands may be tied, the avenue of replacement dictated by commercial pitfalls.

The King is dead. Long live the King. David Villa at New York City FC is no more. The heartfelt announcement that clearly illustrated the close relationship that Villa had with the club, the city and the fans came in late November.

Villa wanted to give the club as best a chance to prepare for the post-Villa era. Without being overly egotistical, the Spaniard recognised that New York would struggle without him. Who wouldn’t struggle without such an influential goalscorer and centre-forward?

It was never going to be easy to replace Villa. He is one of the greatest MLS players of all time and, while age and injuries had begun to take their toll, was still one of the more consistent and impactful strikers in the league last season.

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But the problems for NYCFC run far deeper than just having to replace the man that put them on the map and made paying the admission well worth it. Villa held a significance to the club that extended far beyond the white lines of the football pitch. Such was his stardom and ability, he brought fans through the gates. Many came to the sport because of Villa himself. And they supported New York, and subsequently came to the games, bought the tickets, spent money on the shirts. Villa provided a commercial revenue stream for the club all on his own.

The problem, therefore, is clear to see. Villa is gone. So is the revenue that he brought to the club. And it doesn’t stop there. Attendance has slipped every year since the expansion season in 2015. Yankee Stadium is not especially conducive to an enjoyable football experience. It is too big for the number of fans that New York can attract, a number that can deplete further if Villa is not aptly replaced, the pitch is so narrow that tactics have to actively be adapted, and the view from the stands is far from spectacular.

There are plenty of reasons to not go to NYCFC games. And thereby not spend money. That inevitably will lose fans, especially those that are a little more casual and are more easily put off from making the trek. As a result, replacing Villa is about far more than replicating the goals that he scores or the chances that he creates. NYCFC need to re-assess their commercial structures.

Consequently, of the many possible ways that NYCFC could look to replace Villa, there may only be one that will actually progress the club: sign a star. There have been many names linked to the club. Giuseppe Rossi has been linked, with the Italian international stating that he would like to return to his native New York. Mario Balotelli is a possibility, as is Fernando Torres.

Perhaps the most realistic, and the player with the greatest pedigree and profile, is Bayern Munich’s Frank Ribery. The winger is no longer a regular, has reached 36, and could well be looking for a retirement home for the final few years of his career. NYCFC could offer that to him, and he could offer them star power.

How New York City FC replace Villa remains to be seen. They still have an offseason of uncertainty to navigate. But they may well be forced to try and acquire a big, household name. There are deeper-rooted problems at this club than best preparing the players on the pitch, and that may dictate the very players that do take the pitch.