New York City FC: 3 more signing options for 2021

1. Emanuel Herrera is a striker who would thrive at New York City FC

Ronny Deila and New York City FC might be confident with Valentín Castellanos as the striker while Héber is out to start the season, but again, a striker or center-forward signing should be the top priority.  If the Pigeons prefer to go with a more experienced striker rather than someone young like De Rosario, then Emanuel Herrera might be an option.

The 33-year-old spent the majority of his playing career in South American clubs and is currently at Club Sporting Cristal S.A. in Peru’s Liga 1.  While he is getting up there in age, his experience and ability to score is reason enough to attempt to sign him, even if it is on loan.

Herrera, since joining his current club in 2018, has 70 goals in 93 appearances.  This is a vital stat, for he has mostly played attacking football at Sporting Cristal in the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations.  Both lineup styles have been utilized by Deila, so Herrera should have little to no difficulty adjusting if he were to join the Pigeons.  The fact he has played under four different managers since 2018 also illuminates he can adapt to change, for he has been a constant scoring threat.

Furthermore, the Argentine is one of those players who got better with age.  Hence, a move to New York City FC could lead to more goals and improvement to his style and technique.  Herrera might struggle somewhat with passing, but when he is given the ball, he is able to something that many within NYCFC struggled to do in 2020: finish and score the goal.

Additionally, Herrera would add competition at the striker/ center-forward position.  His recent success would make the likes of Héber, once he can play again, and Castellanos work harder and diligently to better their craft.  His experience and knowledge could also be passed onto the younger players, thus assisting their game as well.

Not many fans know of Emanuel Herrera, and such a signing would shock MLS and NYCFC fans alike.  But the 33-year-old’s recent success and scoring abilities should not be overlooked.  Not every striker in their 30s that comes to MLS has to be a star out of Europe.  Plus, like any new signing, there is no guarantee he will have success in a new league.  Nonetheless, his talent and value are worth the risk for NYCFC.  But of course, there is the question of whether the Pigeons could pry him away from Peru, where he is playing the best football of his career.