Players like Jannis Nikolaou
CM/CDM/CBEintracht Braunschweig · 2024/25 · ranked by tactical + market fitJannis Nikolaou's profile ↗
The players most similar to Jannis Nikolaou are Emmanuel Kakou, Ozan Kabak, Philipp Sander. Doppel rates Emmanuel Kakou (Cercle Brugge) a 82/100 overall match — 94/100 on tactical profile. For a cheaper option, Rio Hillen scores 81/100 at about €700k. Data as of July 2026.
About Jannis Nikolaou
Jannis Nikolaou is a robust defensive midfielder known for his tenacity and defensive prowess. With an impressive ability to tackle and intercept, he ranks in the top 11% of his peers, showcasing his skill in duels and aerial battles. A durable presence on the pitch, he has missed only three games in the last three seasons, making him a reliable asset for any team. While his attacking contributions are limited, his primary strength lies in anchoring the midfield and disrupting opposition play effectively.
Strengths: Tackles + interceptions, Duels won, Clearances. Availability: 3 games missed in the last 3 seasons.
12 players most similar to Jannis Nikolaou
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmanuel Kakousimilar↗ | Cercle Brugge | 21 | €2.2m | 94 | 82 |
| 2 | Ozan Kabaksimilar↗ | TSG Hoffenheim | 26 | €15m | 94 | 82 |
| 3 | Philipp Sandersimilar↗ | Borussia M'gladbach | 28 | €4.2m | 94 | 83 |
| 4 | Antoine Mendysimilar↗ | Nice | 22 | €9.7m | 93 | 80 |
| 5 | Teo Quinterosimilar↗ | Sparta Rotterdam | 27 | €1.2m | 93 | 80 |
| 6 | Rio Hillensimilar↗ | NAC Breda | 23 | €700k | 92 | 81 |
| 7 | Juan Foythsimilar↗ | Villarreal | 28 | €8.6m | 92 | 81 |
| 8 | Kevin Dikssimilar↗ | Borussia M'gladbach | 30 | €4.8m | 92 | 83 |
| 9 | Jacobo Ramónsimilar↗ | Como | 21 | €32m | 92 | 84 |
| 10 | Ben Godfreysimilar↗ | Everton | 28 | €4.7m | 90 | 80 |
| 11 | Lennard Hartjessimilar↗ | Excelsior | 23 | €800k | 90 | 80 |
| 12 | Terry Devlinsimilar↗ | Portsmouth | 23 | €3.9m | 89 | 80 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · data: Sofascore, last 3 seasons
Why these players match Jannis Nikolaou
≈ 100% Jannis Nikolaou · strong: Clearances, Aerial duels won · medium reliability
Strengths: Clearances /90, Aerial duels won /90
≈ 100% Jannis Nikolaou · strong: Finishing (npG − npxG, Tackles + interceptions · low reliability
Strengths: Finishing (npG − npxG /90), Tackles + interceptions /90, Aerial duels won /90
≈ 100% Jannis Nikolaou · strong: Tackles + interceptions, Touches · low reliability
Strengths: Tackles + interceptions /90, Touches /90, Aerial duels won %
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Jannis Nikolaou?
By Doppel's fit score, Emmanuel Kakou (Cercle Brugge) is the closest profile to Jannis Nikolaou, with a 82/100 overall match. Ozan Kabak and Philipp Sander are the next best fits.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Jannis Nikolaou?
Yes. Rio Hillen (NAC Breda) plays a similar central midfielder role and rates 81/100 at roughly €700k.
How does Doppel find players similar to Jannis Nikolaou?
Doppel builds a statistical role profile from Jannis Nikolaou's 2024/25 season, then ranks central midfielders across the big-5 leagues and more by how closely they match, adjusting for league strength and market value.
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