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 Filip Krastev, Cameron Puertas, Paul Nebel. Doppel rates Filip Krastev (PEC Zwolle) a 85/100 overall match — 91/100 on tactical profile. For a cheaper option, Juninho Bacuna scores 84/100 at about €1.8m. Data as of July 2026.
12 players most similar to Kodai Sano
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Filip Krastevsimilar↗ | PEC Zwolle | 25 | €2.9m | 91 | 85 |
| 2 | Cameron Puertassimilar↗ | Royale Union Saint-Gilloise | 28 | €6.8m | 88 | 85 |
| 3 | Paul Nebelsimilar↗ | 1. FSV Mainz 05 | 24 | €17m | 87 | 85 |
| 4 | Eric Ebimbesimilar↗ | Eintracht Frankfurt | 26 | €6.5m | 89 | 85 |
| 5 | Abdelkahar Kadrisimilar↗ | KV Kortrijk | 26 | €2.6m | 90 | 84 |
| 6 | Félix Lemaréchalsimilar↗ | Cercle Brugge | 23 | €6.5m | 92 | 84 |
| 7 | Juninho Bacunasimilar↗ | Birmingham City | 29 | €1.8m | 88 | 84 |
| 8 | Jens Hjertø-Dahlsimilar↗ | Tromsø IL | 21 | €9.6m | 87 | 84 |
| 9 | Edu Expósitosimilar↗ | Espanyol | 30 | €4.5m | 90 | 84 |
| 10 | Håkon Evjensimilar↗ | Bodø/Glimt | 26 | €4.8m | 86 | 84 |
| 11 | Rocco Robert Sheinsimilar↗ | Fredrikstad FK | 23 | €2.5m | 91 | 84 |
| 12 | Sondre Auklendsimilar↗ | Bodø/Glimt | 23 | €2.8m | 87 | 84 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · data: Sofascore, last 3 seasons
Why these players match Kodai Sano
≈ 100% Kodai Sano · strong: Successful dribbles, Duels won · medium reliability
Strengths: Successful dribbles /90, Duels won /90, Possession won in att. third /90
≈ 100% Kodai Sano · strong: Sofascore rating, Key passes · low reliability
Strengths: Sofascore rating, Key passes /90, Shots /90
≈ 100% Kodai Sano · strong: Non-penalty goals, Finishing (npG − npxG · low reliability
Strengths: Non-penalty goals /90, Finishing (npG − npxG /90), xG + xA /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Kodai Sano?
By Doppel's fit score, Filip Krastev (PEC Zwolle) is the closest profile to Kodai Sano, with a 85/100 overall match. Cameron Puertas and Paul Nebel are the next best fits.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Kodai Sano?
Yes. Juninho Bacuna (Birmingham City) plays a similar central midfielder role and rates 84/100 at roughly €1.8m.
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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