Players like Baptiste Santamaria
CM/CDMValencia · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitBaptiste Santamaria's profile ↗
The players most similar to Baptiste Santamaria are Mikel Merino, Darko Nejašmić, Ross Barkley. Doppel rates Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad) a 80/100 overall match — 93/100 on tactical profile. For a cheaper option, Enric Llansana scores 80/100 at about €2.1m. Data as of September 2026.
Building your XI? Put Baptiste Santamaria in a lineup and get the whole team rated on real data.Build a lineup →About Baptiste Santamaria
Baptiste Santamaria is a robust defensive midfielder who excels in breaking up opposition play and distributing the ball effectively. With an impressive Sofascore rating in the top 41% of his peers, he stands out for his accurate long balls and relentless tackling, making him a key asset in midfield battles. His durability is a significant plus, having missed no games in the last three seasons, showcasing his reliability and commitment on the pitch. While his offensive contributions are limited, his defensive prowess anchors the team effectively.
Strengths: Accurate long balls, Tackles + interceptions, Aerial duels won. Availability: no injuries recorded in the last 3 seasons.
12 players most similar to Baptiste Santamaria
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mikel Merinosimilar↗ | Real Sociedad | 30 | €26m | 93 | 80 |
| 2 | Darko Nejašmićsimilar↗ | NEC Nijmegen | 27 | €4.1m | 91 | 80 |
| 3 | Ross Barkleysimilar↗ | Luton Town | 33 | €3.6m | 90 | 81 |
| 4 | Édersonsimilar↗ | Atalanta | 27 | €43m | 90 | 81 |
| 5 | Enric Llansanasimilar↗ | Go Ahead Eagles | 25 | €2.1m | 89 | 80 |
| 6 | Rodrisimilar↗ | Manchester City | 30 | €50m | 89 | 80 |
| 7 | Kodai Sanosimilar↗ | NEC Nijmegen | 23 | €13m | 89 | 80 |
| 8 | Johan Manzambisimilar↗ | SC Freiburg | 21 | €54m | 89 | 82 |
| 9 | Eric Ebimbesimilar↗ | Eintracht Frankfurt | 26 | €6.5m | 88 | 85 |
| 10 | Leon Goretzkasimilar↗ | FC Bayern München | 31 | €11m | 88 | 81 |
| 11 | Nikolas Narteysimilar↗ | VfB Stuttgart | 26 | €10m | 88 | 81 |
| 12 | Jens Stagesimilar↗ | SV Werder Bremen | 30 | €14m | 88 | 80 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · last 3 seasons
Why these players match Baptiste Santamaria
≈ 100% Baptiste Santamaria · strong: Duels won, Aerial duels won · low reliability
Strengths: Duels won /90, Aerial duels won /90, Possession won in att. third /90
≈ 100% Baptiste Santamaria · strong: Aerial duels won, Clearances · low reliability
Strengths: Aerial duels won /90, Clearances /90, Sofascore rating
≈ 100% Baptiste Santamaria · strong: Successful dribbles, Shots · low reliability
Strengths: Successful dribbles /90, Shots /90, Duels won /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Baptiste Santamaria?
By Doppel's fit score, Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad) is the closest profile to Baptiste Santamaria, with a 80/100 overall match. Darko Nejašmić and Ross Barkley are the next best fits.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Baptiste Santamaria?
Yes. Enric Llansana (Go Ahead Eagles) plays a similar central midfielder role and rates 80/100 at roughly €2.1m.
How does Doppel find players similar to Baptiste Santamaria?
Doppel builds a statistical role profile from Baptiste Santamaria's 2025/26 season, then ranks central midfielders across the big-5 leagues and more by how closely they match, adjusting for league strength and market value.
Want the full, budget-aware shortlist with heatmaps and your own filters?
Run your own search on Doppel →