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New York City FC: Three options to sign for the 2022 season

By Caitlyn Chale

PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 11: New York City FC players celebrate winning the 2021 MLS Cup after a game between New York City FC and Portland Timbers at Providence Park on December 11, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 11: New York City FC players celebrate winning the 2021 MLS Cup after a game between New York City FC and Portland Timbers at Providence Park on December 11, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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Robert Ivanov
France’s forward Kylian Mbappe (L) and Finland’s defender Robert Ivanov vie for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group D football match between Finland and France at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, on November 16, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) /

2. Robert Ivanov of Warta Poznań

New York City FC are in desperate need of another center-back or two.  Both Maxime Chanot and Alexander Callens participate with their national teams, and will miss matches during the MLS season.  In addition, Sands, who can play in the center-back role, moved on loan to Rangers F.C., and Vuk Latinovich still has limited professional experience.  And honestly, Alfredo Morales should stay away from the backline; he is a much better defender when he is in the midfield.

There are many center-backs the team can look for, but one center-back who is likely not on the radar of the club, but has grown tremendously in the past year, is Finnish defender Robert Ivanov.  The 27 year old currently plays in Poland for Warta Poznań in the Ekstraklasa.  He is predominantly a center-back, but does have very limited experience in the defensive midfield.

Excluding his current club, Ivanov has spent the majority of his professional career in Finland.  Thus far, he had the most success with FC Honka, where he made 147 appearances in all competitions.  He scored 18 times for the club, and had four assists.  He also has eight caps with Finland, and made his first appearance for the national team in 2018.

So far this season, Ivanov has started the majority of the games he has played in.  He is deemed as one of the better defenders in the league, and since moving to Poland, his market value has grown significantly.  He joined the club in September of 2020, and per Transfermarkt, his value in January of 2021 was about $275,000.  Now, as of December 31, 2021, he is valued at $550,000.

His value has increased rightfully so.  Ivanov has been a defensive staple for his club, and is not afraid to get into the attack.  Unfortunately for him, Warta Poznań plays mostly a defensive style of football, and this has limited his ability to attempt scoring goals.  Nonetheless, he still will make such attempts, and his pace helps him immensely.

His team is also currently in the relegation zone, and there are only so many things the defender can do to help his club.  Despite his team’s poor performances, Finland has recognized how the player has grown, and he has had the majority of his call ups in 2021.  He has been a solid defender, and does well with interceptions and marking attackers.

Since his club is fighting to avoid relegation, parting with him might be difficult.  But if NYCFC were to swoop in and present a proper offer, then maybe a move would be possible.  But the Pigeons, who again likely do not have Ivanov on their radar, should swoop in before other teams come calling.  The Finnish defender has grown significantly, and if his side is relegated, then possibly that would lead to him leaving his Polish team.

Furthermore, the center-back could be signed to a contract that would not hurt the club, and New York City FC could easily take a risk with signing him.  Ivanov is a talented center-back who is just 27 years old, and can offer competition at the center-back position.

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