Players like Marcelo Esponda
CMNewell's Old Boys · 2025 · ranked by tactical + market fitMarcelo Esponda's profile ↗
The players most similar to Marcelo Esponda are Pascal Klemens, Julian Niehues, Joffrey Bultel. Doppel rates Pascal Klemens (Hertha BSC) a 81/100 overall match — 93/100 on tactical profile. For a cheaper option, Abdellah Baallal scores 82/100 at about €100k. Data as of July 2026.
About Marcelo Esponda
Marcelo Esponda is a robust, aerially dominant central midfielder, excelling in duels with an impressive 4th percentile ranking for aerial wins. While his overall performance places him in the bottom 39% of his peers, his reliability is notable, missing only eight games in three seasons. Esponda's strengths lie in his ability to control the midfield physically, though his contributions in attack could use development.
Strengths: Aerial duels won %, Aerial duels won. Availability: 8 games missed in the last 3 seasons.
12 players most similar to Marcelo Esponda
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pascal Klemenssimilar↗ | Hertha BSC | 21 | €2.1m | 93 | 81 |
| 2 | Julian Niehuessimilar↗ | 1. FC Kaiserslautern | 25 | €1.6m | 93 | 81 |
| 3 | Joffrey Bultelsimilar↗ | US Boulogne Côte-d'Opale | 26 | €400k | 93 | 80 |
| 4 | Stanko Jurićsimilar↗ | Real Valladolid | 30 | €1.1m | 93 | 80 |
| 5 | Abdellah Baallalsimilar↗ | Clermont Foot | 22 | €100k | 93 | 82 |
| 6 | Kwasi Sibosimilar↗ | SD Amorebieta | 28 | €1.5m | 92 | 79 |
| 7 | Adam Carlénsimilar↗ | IFK Göteborg | 26 | €400k | 92 | 79 |
| 8 | Stefan Džodićsimilar↗ | Almería | 21 | €2.3m | 92 | 79 |
| 9 | Alberto del Moralsimilar↗ | Villarreal B U23 | 26 | €700k | 92 | 79 |
| 10 | Santiago Castañedasimilar↗ | SC Paderborn 07 | 22 | €5.2m | 91 | 81 |
| 11 | Kevin Ackermannsimilar↗ | IF Brommapojkarna | 25 | €700k | 91 | 79 |
| 12 | Giovanni Haagsimilar↗ | Rodez AF | 26 | €1.9m | 91 | 78 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · data: Sofascore, last 3 seasons
Why these players match Marcelo Esponda
≈ 100% Marcelo Esponda · strong: Aerial duels won %, Aerial duels won · medium reliability
Strengths: Aerial duels won %, Aerial duels won /90
≈ 100% Marcelo Esponda · strong: Aerial duels won %, Aerial duels won · medium reliability
Strengths: Aerial duels won %, Aerial duels won /90
≈ 100% Marcelo Esponda · strong: Aerial duels won, Aerial duels won % · medium reliability
Strengths: Aerial duels won /90, Aerial duels won %
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Marcelo Esponda?
By Doppel's fit score, Pascal Klemens (Hertha BSC) is the closest profile to Marcelo Esponda, with a 81/100 overall match. Julian Niehues and Joffrey Bultel are the next best fits.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Marcelo Esponda?
Yes. Abdellah Baallal (Clermont Foot) plays a similar central midfielder role and rates 82/100 at roughly €100k.
How does Doppel find players similar to Marcelo Esponda?
Doppel builds a statistical role profile from Marcelo Esponda's 2025 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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