As someone who often finds myself as the only MLS fan of the group, I tend to get some questions about who certain players are for my beloved NYCFC when I have the game on in my apartment.
But, since many of my friends follow the major European leagues, sometimes the easiest way to describe an MLS player and their game is to give a player comparison of a footballer they do know.
So, this weirdly-niche situation has inspired me to create a list of NYCFC players and their world-class counterparts. Better yet, I’ve decided to make it a full starting XI of these elite versions of NYCFC starters. Cus, why not?
To lay out the guidelines, I’m selecting these players by considering their playing styles, how they look/feel when they play, and just their overall vibe. Essentially, it’s “who does this player most remind me of on the field?”
Got it? Cool. Here’s the lineup:
NYCFC's Current Lineup, and their World-Class Counterparts
Luis Barraza —> Jordan Pickford
To find someone similar to Luis Barraza, I wanted to find someone who had really strong fundamentals, especially with their feet. As a former GK myself, this is something I’ve always admired with Barraza - his technique is super crisp.
He’s the “modern goalkeeper” archetype; he starts high off his line, he’s good with his feet, and is a key player in his team’s buildup. His strengths lie in strong distribution, decision-making, and general reliability.
While the player he reminds me of most is actually Nice's Kasper Schmeichel, I wasn't convinced he met the "world class" aspect of all this anymore. So, I I finally landed on England's no. 1 in Jordan Pickford.
Luis Barraza and Jordan Pickford
While not a perfect comparison, I think they play the game in very similar ways, albeit for very dissimilar teams.
Neither are towering frames in height, but are both quite strong physically. Both are brave, and very capable of coming off their lines and spreading themselves for a 1v1. And, both have lighting-quick reflexes, making them really strong against close-range efforts.
But above all, both have an absolute ping on them. Their technique when striking a ball from the ground, or on a side-volley, is world class.
Thiago Martins —> Rafael Varane
I was certainly having a bit of trouble finding apt comparisons for the center back pairing, but I think this one works pretty well. When you strip pedigree (*cough cough* FIVE Champions Leagues) aside and just look at how the two play the position, I think Thiago Martins and Rafael Varane accomplish very similar tasks for their respective sides.
To start, they are both super athletic, which is probably both of their most important attributes in the back. They both boast impressive pace, capable of chasing down an attacker that may have slipped in-behind, but are both strong enough to knock even the most physical attackers off the ball.
Thiago Martins and Rafael Varane (Via NYCFC and Getty Images)
Varane is a bit taller standing at 6’3 compared to Martin’s 6’1” stature, but to be honest I was pretty shocked to find Thiago wasn’t taller - he just plays so big out there.
Above all, they are both the “ball winners” of their respective back lines, and are placed alongside another center back who is a bit more capable in possession. In Rafael’s case, that distributor is Lisandro Mártinez. In Thiago’s case, that ball-player is Maxime Chanot, who possesses definitively better feet in my opinion.
Maxime Chanot —> Thiago Silva
This one came to me pretty quickly, which means it’s either obvious, or I didn’t think hard enough about it. I guess we’ll see, but there were a handful of similarities that jumped out to me about Maxime Chanot and Thiago Silva right off the bat.
The first of these common characteristics would be their experience and leadership. They are both hugely-important leaders for their sides. Both have served as captain from the center back position, and both command respect from their teammates for how they’ve carried themselves on and off the field. Neither are spring chickens at this stage, but both are still more than capable of getting the job done for their sides at this stage in their careers.
Maxime Chanot and Thiago Silva (Via NYCFC and 'We Ain't got no History')
And, they play pretty similarly out there for their respective clubs. They are both good ball-playing center backs, who will often lead their team in touches in sides that look to possess and build from the back. Both are very capable in a back 4, but also as the central defender of a back 3. And, both will absolutely crack you if you let them get close enough.
Are either of these guys going to chase you down from behind like Martins or Varane? Probably not. But, they let their expert positioning and fine-tuned instincts do the work for them.
To echo the wise words of Paolo Maldini, “If I have to make a tackle then I’ve already made a mistake”. That sentiment rings true when I watch both of these proper center halves play their game.
Braian Cufré —> Ben Chilwell
This one was, admittedly, the toughest one for me to pinpoint. I just feel like there’s still so much to Braian’s game that I’m yet to see, even though he’s had the left back position locked down since week one. But there are two things that stand out about his game to me right off the bat: his technicality, and that sweet left foot of his.
You can tell he’s a quality player from the moment he receives the ball. His touches are crisp, calm, and controlled, so he has no problem navigating tight spaces when closed down by an opponent. But, give him too much space, and he’ll pick out a cross, smack a diagonal ping to the weak side, or even go for goal himself from range.
Braian Cufré and Ben Chilwell (Via NYCFC and Chelsea Core)
These technical abilities paired with attacking qualities remind me a bit of Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell. In addition to their common play style, they both stand just under 6ft, weigh somewhere in the 175lb range, and actually move pretty similarly out there on the left flank.
While neither are the most athletic, they can get by with intelligence and overall quality. But defensively, I’m not quite sold on either party in a 1v1 battle against quality wingers.
Tayvon Gray —> Aaron Wan-Bissaka
This feels like one of the easier of the bunch, and is certainly one I’ve used in real life to explain Tayvon Gray to my friends who watch the Premier League.
Both Gray and Wan Bissaka are old-school fullbacks in all the best ways - they're defensively-minded, great tacklers, and elite 1v1 defenders. Time and time again, I’ve seen both of these guys absolutely pocket the very winger I was most worried about going into a game.
Tayvon Gray and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Via NYCFC and Manchester Evening News)
Both are hesitant to get forward, but can do it when they need to. Sure, neither look the most natural when overlapping a winger and joining the attack - but they’ll give it a go every now and again to decent effect.
They’re also similar in stature, with Tavon listed as 5’11” and 163lbs, and Aaron standing at 6’0” 159lbs.
One difference to me is that I think Wan Bissaka is well and truly a right fullback, whereas I’m still deciding if I think Tayvon’s best position could be right center back in a 3-back.
James Sands —> Fabinho
When looking for someone to compare to James Sands, I was looking for a press-resistant holding midfield player, who’s super comfortable on the ball, capable of winning the ball back for their side, can launching counter-attacks with good passing range, and someone who could even play center back when called upon. Which, to be honest, is quite the laundry list of characteristics for any player in world football.
But, I think Fabinho actually fits that bill in many ways. If you’re not convinced, just try to think of 2020/21 Fabinho, rather than this season’s Fabinho.
James Sands and Fabinho (Via NYCFC and 'Managing Madrid')
At the peak of his powers, Fabinho was arguably the best no. 6 in the Premier League. He was the anchor of a Liverpool side that bombed forward at nearly every opportunity, stopping counter attacks single-handedly at times on the defensive side of things, while linking play from the back quickly and effectively on the offensive side of things.
Maybe not a perfect comparison, but I think they play really similar roles for their given teams. But if anything, I think Sands is better comparatively in MLS these days than Fabinho has been in the Premier league this season.
Keaton Parks —> Kai Havertz
Okay, I know what you’re going to say, but just hear me out here…
Yes. Keaton Parks is a true number 8, and Kai Havetrz has played the 9 for Chelsea for much of this season. But if I’ve learned anything from watching Kai up top all year, its that he is simply not a number 9.
But let’s not let recency bias take over here, going back to previous Chelsea seasons and going back to his Bayer Leverkusen days, the position he’s featured in the most has been in an attacking midfield role. And, he even has experience playing as deep as the number 8 role, where he’d take the field for Leverkusen occasionally in 2017 and 2018 (lining up as a CM 18 times according to transfermarket).
So positionally, that’s close enough in my book to compare him with Keaton Parks. And when you watch the two play, it’s easy to see why I’m taking this jump to compare the two.
Keaton Parks and Kai Havertz (Via NYCFC and 'The Pride of London')
They both share that lanky 6’3” frame, but you wouldn’t know it from watching their playing style. Despite their height, they both ooze technical class on the ball, possessing the ability to dribble out of the tightest spaces usually reserved for players of much smaller stature.
They both exude an aura of calmness on the ball, never looking worried that an opponent will disposes them while they look to pick out a pass or break a line on the dribble. And, they both share good vision and exhibit strong understanding of the game.
But above all, no one else in world football really reminds me of Keaton - he’s just such a unique player. So, Kai Havertz it is.
Richy Ledezma —> Alexis Mac Alister
Richy has been a great pickup for NYCFC this season on loan from PSV, recently slotting into the No. 10 position to impressive effect, and moving newly-minted DP Santi Rodriguez out of the attacking midfield role and into the front three.
While probably not a perfect comparison, the counterpart I’m going for is Brighton’s Alexis Mac Alister.
Richy Ledezma and Alexis Mac Allister (Via NYCFC and Getty Images)
They’re similar in stature and in play style. The pair both stand at about 5’9” and 155lb, love receiving the ball in the half space, and both are really quick on the dribble and technical in tight spaces.
And, when the two look to break lines on the dribble, I think they actually look quite similar while doing it. There’s something about their gait and the way they dip their shoulders when weaving in and out of defenders that I find really similar.
Talles Magno —> Alex Isak
To be honest, it’s pretty hard to find apt comparisons for Talles. As a player, he’s as unique as he is talented, as his god-tier dribbling ability is seldom found in someone boasting a lanky 6’1” frame such as his. Especially not when combined with the fluidity and general “sauce” that Magno displays on any given touch of a football.
But, there is one man up in Newcastle doing similar things of late in Alexander Isak. For as long and languid as Talles is, Isak is actually even lankier, standing at 6’4” in what looks like an even slimmer frame.
Talles Magno and Alex Isak (Via NYCFC and 'The Top Flight')
But on the ball, Isak’s got some of that same sauce. He’s a dribble first forward who, much like Talles, loves to drift out to the left flank and cut in towards goal on the dribble. He’ll slow the game down, then he’ll speed the game up, he’ll look to isolate you 1v1 then and take your ankles.
And, while Isak has been on fire of late for Newcastle, much like Talles he's far from a finished product as a player. In many ways, Alex Isak is what I want Talles Magno to be, even though he is yet to reach his final form himself.
Gabriel Pereira —> Riyad Mahrez
This one’s a layup - their styles just feel so similar to me. They both have that “Robben-esque left-footed, cut inside and curl” attack on-lock. Even when you know where they’re going, you just can’t stop them.
And, as soon as you sell out on the left-footed shot, they can chop it back to the right and get to the byline for a back-post square pass. City Football Group soccer at its finest.
Gabriel Pereira and Riyad Mahrez (Via NYCFC and Premier League on Twitter)
They’re similar by silhouette as well, as the two slither their slight frames through defenders with ease and style. And, while Riyad is listed as three inches taller than GP’s 5’7” frame, they are both listed at exactly 148lbs. I rest my case.
Santi Rodriguez —> Paulo Dybala
Because of the versatility of his game, there was a whole list of names that came to mind when trying to pinpoint Santi’s world-class counterpart. Christopher Nkuku, Angel Correa, Diogo Jota … hell, he’s even got a little Phillipe Coutinho in him. But none of those names felt quite right for Santi’s style of play, which is further complicated now by his recent position shift to the (false?) nine position.
But one name that I feel a bit better landing on is Roma’s Paulo Dybala. The athletic Argentinian second striker possess a rare combo of technicality, vision, and goal-scoring prowess - not unlike what Santi has shown in his time at NYCFC.
Santi Rodriguez and Paolo Dybala (Via NYCC and Sports Illustrated)
What throws me off a bit here is that Dybala possess a larger frame, and is very left footed, so the optics aren’t quite as aligned as they are for some other comparisons on this list.
But the similarities in the roles they play for their team is enough for me to overlook this. Neither are true no. 10’s in my opinion, but neither are out and out number 9’s either. They are given total freedom to drift around the top of the box in possession, and dart to the back post off the ball to create scoring opportunities for their side. When they are clicking, their team is scoring - it’s as simple as that.
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