Who is our Most important player right now?

So, now that the 2022 season is well underway, lets recap exactly where we’re at so far:

In CCL, The Boys in Blue made an admirable run, but ultimately fell to fellow MLS club, Seattle Sounders, who’s fate will be determined tonight in the second leg of the final vs Liga MX side, Pumas.

Through 8 weeks of MLS play, NYCFC find themselves in 5th place in the Eastern Conference at 4-1-3 (W-D-L), with at least one game in hand over each team above them in the table. Their 19 goals-for is the best in the conference, and they’re riding a 3-game winning streak with a goal differential of +10 over that span.

So, after what was a shaky start in MLS play, the team’s recent form would suggest that they are back to sustaining the high level that fans have come to expect from the reigning champions.

Three Key players for City (Via NYCFC.)

But, who is most responsible for this uptick in form? If you had to single-out one player as our most important right now, who would you choose? Here are my top three players that we simply can’t be without at the moment:

1. Alex Callens

I really can’t say enough about Alex Callens’ contribution to this team in the last year. He has truly been immense.

Defensively, I think he is now head and shoulders above anyone else in that back line, especially with the question marks surrounding the center back position over the past few weeks. Chanot has been sidelined with injury, Martins has not been the player we were expecting from a DP (although I think his performances have been improving), and we’ve even had to run defensive midfielder, Alfredo Morales, back there once this season.

Alex Callens on the Ball (Via NYCFC)

But, surrounding all of this center back chaos, what has been our constant? A very solid Alex Callens. He’s showing all the same defensive instinct, bravery, and arial prowess that we’ve become accustom to seeing from the Peruvian international, but I think his ball-playing ability and leadership have both improved over the last few months. Even with Sean Johnson captaining the side between the sticks, it just kind of feels like Callens is running the show in defense.

At this stage in the season, I’m just not quite sure what we’d do without him. That's why I have him at number 1 right now as our single most important player.

2. Taty Castellanos

I didn’t have to think too hard about this one to be honest with you. With 9 goals and 5 assists in 14 appearances this season, Taty is averaging a goal involvement every time he pulls on an NYCFC shirt this year. And, for a player that City Football Group valued at about $20 million going into this year, one could only imagine how his current form has impacted that price tag.

But, the young Argentinian has also proved that goal involvements is only part of what he is able to offer. His work ethic has been phenomenal this year, chasing down opponents all over the pitch, and relentlessness pressing opposing defenses late into games.

Castellanos Lining up a Strike against San Jose (Via NYCFC)

And, his flair on the ball just gets the people going. It's flicks, megs, and rabonas galore seemingly every match for Taty. Those moments frustrate defenses, inspires teammates, and hypes up the crown - three intangible aspects of the game that can have a profound impact.

If there were any doubts on whether Taty could re-discover last year’s form, they have surely been answered. And, if NYCFC were to cash in on him during this summer’s transfer window, I’m not quite sure how City would replace that output.

3. Santi Rodriguez

Identifying the 3rd player to go on this list was difficult, as there were a handful of players who I think deserve to be in the conversation. But for me, Santi Rodriguez has just been too impressive to leave out.

Santi Rodriguez Celebrating his goal vs Toronto (Via NYCFC)

Stepping into his first full season with the club, he now has 8 goal involvements in his first 12 matches - a perfect split of 4 goals and 4 assists. He’s in particularly good form recently, with 5 goal involvements in his last 4 matches.

But again, his play goes beyond just the what he is able to put on the scoresheet. What’s maybe impressed me the most is how comfortable he looks in the no. 10 position that’s usually occupied by Maxi Moralez, who’s missed time recently as he recovers from his “trunk” injury. With Maxi being 35 now, we do need someone who’s able to fill that role moving forward.

Santi Occupying the no. 10 role vs Sounders (Via NYCFC)

And while Maxi certainly still has more to offer this season, I’m not sure if we can be playing him 90+ minutes every game these days. So, having another option that we can comfortably slot into this CAM position is huge for skipper Ronny Deila. This flexibility and relative necessity is why I’ve opted for Santi in this list over one of our budding, Brazilian superstars in Talles Magno or Thiago. We have plenty of talented wingers, but that depth at the no. 10 may just be vital to NYCFC success this season over the long haul.