Players like Kodai Sano
CM/CDMNEC Nijmegen · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitKodai Sano's profile ↗
The players most similar to Kodai Sano are Ross Barkley, Johan Manzambi, Félix Lemaréchal. Doppel rates Ross Barkley (Luton Town) a 84/100 overall match — 95/100 on tactical profile. For a cheaper option, Filip Krastev scores 86/100 at about €2.9m. Data as of September 2026.
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Kodai Sano is a dynamic box-to-box midfielder who excels in both defensive duties and playmaking. With a Sofascore rating placing him in the top 29% of his peers, he combines effective ball progression through successful dribbles and precise passing, contributing significantly to his team's attacking play with 3 goals and 7 assists this season. His defensive capabilities are equally impressive, highlighted by his strong clearance rate, making him a durable and reliable asset in the midfield with only 7 games missed over the last three seasons.
Strengths: Successful dribbles, Clearances, Big chances created. Availability: 7 games missed in the last 3 seasons.
12 players most similar to Kodai Sano
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ross Barkleysimilar↗ | Luton Town | 33 | €3.6m | 95 | 84 |
| 2 | Johan Manzambisimilar↗ | SC Freiburg | 21 | €54m | 93 | 85 |
| 3 | Félix Lemaréchalsimilar↗ | Cercle Brugge | 23 | €6.5m | 92 | 84 |
| 4 | Filip Krastevsimilar↗ | PEC Zwolle | 25 | €2.9m | 92 | 86 |
| 5 | Tom Bischofsimilar↗ | TSG Hoffenheim | 21 | €39m | 92 | 83 |
| 6 | Edu Expósitosimilar↗ | Espanyol | 30 | €4.5m | 91 | 85 |
| 7 | Malik Tillmansimilar↗ | PSV Eindhoven | 24 | €27m | 91 | 84 |
| 8 | Youssouf Fofanasimilar↗ | AS Monaco | 27 | €25m | 91 | 83 |
| 9 | Nadiem Amirisimilar↗ | 1. FSV Mainz 05 | 30 | €16m | 91 | 84 |
| 10 | Abdelkahar Kadrisimilar↗ | KV Kortrijk | 26 | €2.6m | 91 | 85 |
| 11 | Eric Ebimbesimilar↗ | Eintracht Frankfurt | 26 | €6.5m | 91 | 86 |
| 12 | Brais Méndezsimilar↗ | Real Sociedad | 29 | €7.8m | 91 | 83 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · last 3 seasons
Why these players match Kodai Sano
≈ 100% Kodai Sano · strong: Successful dribbles, Shots · low reliability
Strengths: Successful dribbles /90, Shots /90, Duels won /90
≈ 100% Kodai Sano · strong: Duels won, Shots · medium reliability
Strengths: Duels won /90, Shots /90, Successful dribbles /90
≈ 100% Kodai Sano · strong: Successful dribbles, Possession won in att. third · low reliability
Strengths: Successful dribbles /90, Possession won in att. third /90, Key passes /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Kodai Sano?
By Doppel's fit score, Ross Barkley (Luton Town) is the closest profile to Kodai Sano, with a 84/100 overall match. Johan Manzambi and Félix Lemaréchal are the next best fits.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Kodai Sano?
Yes. Filip Krastev (PEC Zwolle) plays a similar central midfielder role and rates 86/100 at roughly €2.9m.
How does Doppel find players similar to Kodai Sano?
Doppel builds a statistical role profile from Kodai Sano'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.
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