Players like Alex Baena
LMAtlético Madrid · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitAlex Baena's profile ↗
The players most similar to Alex Baena are Dwight McNeil, Alejandro Grimaldo, Nicola Zalewski. Doppel rates Dwight McNeil (Everton) a 88/100 overall match — 96/100 on tactical profile. For a cheaper option, Başar Önal scores 85/100 at about €7.7m. Data as of September 2026.
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Alex Baena is a dynamic left midfielder, excelling as a creative playmaker who consistently generates goal-scoring opportunities. With his elite Sofascore rating placing him in the top 4% of his peers, he combines an impressive knack for both scoring and assisting, reflected in his top-tier metrics for expected goals, key passes, and accurate crosses. While he may not be focused on defensive duties, his reliability on the pitch is evident, having missed only 16 games over the last three seasons.
Strengths: xG + xA, Key passes, Big chances created. Availability: 16 games missed in the last 3 seasons.
12 players most similar to Alex Baena
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dwight McNeilsimilar↗ | Everton | 27 | €19m | 96 | 88 |
| 2 | Alejandro Grimaldosimilar↗ | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | 31 | €19m | 96 | 85 |
| 3 | Nicola Zalewskisimilar↗ | Atalanta | 24 | €18m | 94 | 85 |
| 4 | Jakub Kamińskisimilar↗ | 1. FC Köln | 24 | €15m | 93 | 87 |
| 5 | Chris Führichsimilar↗ | VfB Stuttgart | 28 | €12m | 92 | 86 |
| 6 | Federico Dimarcosimilar↗ | Inter | 29 | €48m | 92 | 84 |
| 7 | Başar Önalsimilar↗ | NEC Nijmegen | 22 | €7.7m | 91 | 85 |
| 8 | Jaidon Anthonysimilar↗ | Burnley | 27 | €19m | 91 | 83 |
| 9 | Malick Fofanasimilar↗ | Olympique Lyonnais | 21 | €29m | 91 | 85 |
| 10 | Antonio Nusasimilar↗ | RB Leipzig | 21 | €31m | 90 | 84 |
| 11 | Germán Valerasimilar↗ | Elche | 24 | €6.2m | 90 | 85 |
| 12 | Florent Muslijasimilar↗ | Fortuna Düsseldorf | 28 | €1.9m | 90 | 84 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · last 3 seasons
Why these players match Alex Baena
≈ 100% Alex Baena · strong: Possession won in att. third, Key passes · low reliability
Strengths: Possession won in att. third /90, Key passes /90, Accurate crosses /90
≈ 100% Alex Baena · strong: Sofascore rating, Accurate final-third passes · low reliability
Strengths: Sofascore rating, Accurate final-third passes /90, Touches /90
≈ 100% Alex Baena · strong: Big chances created, Duels won · medium reliability
Strengths: Big chances created /90, Duels won /90, Key passes /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Alex Baena?
By Doppel's fit score, Dwight McNeil (Everton) is the closest profile to Alex Baena, with a 88/100 overall match. Alejandro Grimaldo and Nicola Zalewski are the next best fits.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Alex Baena?
Yes. Başar Önal (NEC Nijmegen) plays a similar left midfielder role and rates 85/100 at roughly €7.7m.
How does Doppel find players similar to Alex Baena?
Doppel builds a statistical role profile from Alex Baena's 2025/26 season, then ranks left midfielders across the big-5 leagues and more by how closely they match, adjusting for league strength and market value.
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