3 players who should leave NYCFC before the 2026 season

New York City FC has not seen too many departures at this time. Some contract options were denied, and Justin Haak left as a free agent. However, most of the 2025 rostered players are still with the Boys in Blue.

Of course, that does not mean that players will not leave. Trades and transfers are always possible, especially with different transfer windows around the world. Many leagues have the January transfer window for the winter, but some, like Major League Soccer, will go into February and March. So, it is possible a NYCFC player could depart the club during the preseason or even at the beginning of the regular season.

So, who should leave the Pigeons? Here are a few NYCFC players who should leave the Big Apple.

3 NYCFC players who should leave

Strahinja Tanasijević

Strahinja Tanasijević has not been the best center-back for the Boys in Blue. The Serbian has been a liability at times. He is also not consistent with his play. In his time since joining the club, he has only played decently well in a few matches. So, as it was thought in 2025, he should leave before the 2026 season.

He is clearly not meant to be a starter, and he is not the best off the bench. Yes, with Haak gone, NYCFC needs to sign another center-back. Likely, they would not even think about letting Tanasijević go elsewhere without signing a solid backup defender or even a starter who can compete with Raul Gustavo and Thiago Martins.

If the Serbian were to leave, then the club could use $338,750.00, his guaranteed compensation salary, to bring in a young player with potential. And while his contract was picked up, it does not mean that NYCFC should keep him for the 2026 season. Tanasijević has not performed to the expected level. Two years with him has been enough, and perhaps a change will be great for him.

Jovan Mijatović

This is unlikely, but Jovan Mijatović should leave NYCFC before the 2026 season. His loan deal is not going too well with Oud-Heverlee Leuven. He has played in just 16 games this season in all competitions, and he played only 67 minutes in December. Despite having success in Serbia, it is like the move to the Big Apple broke him, and he has not been able to find himself out on loan in Belgium.

The matter of fact is that the player is not returning to NYCFC, but he is also not doing enough to boost his transfer value. At this rate, the Pigeons might have to cut their losses with Mijatović. Sure, there is the argument to keep him out on loan since he does not take up a roster spot. However, any money, regardless of how little, earned in a transfer could aid in signing a striker that will fill in for Alonso Martínez as he recovers from his ACL tear.

Mitja Ilenič

Mitja Ilenič is very talented, and easily could be the starting right-back all the time if Tayvon Gray were not on NYCFC. Truthfully, it would be great to see him play more, and for Pascal Jansen to utilize both players as much as possible.

Yet, based on the second half of 2025, his minutes significantly declined. There were rumors that Jansen benched him since he was trying to leave for Europe in the summer, and the head coach even mentioned how he was occupied with other things.

Based on his decline in playing time and the fact that Ilenič is very talented, he should leave to ensure that he will receive minutes. Additionally, NYCFC would likely get a pretty penny for the right-back. It would be great if he could be an everyday player for the Boys in Blue, but a departure will be better for his career. Of course, things could change for 2026.