Who should replace Matthijs de Ligt?
CBManchester United · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitMatthijs de Ligt's profile ↗
If a club needs to replace Matthijs de Ligt, the best-fitting centre backs are Charlie Cresswell, Marc Guéhi, Leopold Querfeld. Charlie Cresswell (Toulouse) matches the role at 92/100 on tactical profile (85/100 overall). A cheaper option: Willy Boly at about €300k. Data as of July 2026.
Best replacements for Matthijs de Ligt
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlie Cresswellsimilar↗ | Toulouse | 22 | €24m | 92 | 85 |
| 2 | Marc Guéhisimilar↗ | Manchester City | 25 | €66m | 91 | 83 |
| 3 | Leopold Querfeldsimilar↗ | 1. FC Union Berlin | 22 | €19m | 91 | 86 |
| 4 | Eric Martelsimilar↗ | 1. FC Köln | 23 | €8.2m | 91 | 85 |
| 5 | Jan Paul van Heckesimilar↗ | Brighton & Hove Albion | 25 | €49m | 91 | 82 |
| 6 | Willy Bolysimilar↗ | Nottingham Forest | 32 | €300k | 91 | 83 |
| 7 | Kike Salassimilar↗ | Sevilla | 22 | €15m | 91 | 82 |
| 8 | Sven Botmansimilar↗ | Newcastle United | 25 | €33m | 91 | 80 |
| 9 | Daniel Ballardsimilar↗ | Sunderland | 26 | €22m | 90 | 81 |
| 10 | Kacper Potulskisimilar↗ | 1. FSV Mainz 05 | 18 | €17m | 90 | 83 |
| 11 | Konstantinos Koulierakissimilar↗ | VfL Wolfsburg | 22 | €24m | 90 | 84 |
| 12 | Jubalsimilar↗ | Auxerre | 31 | €1.6m | 89 | 86 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · data: Sofascore, last 3 seasons
Why these players match Matthijs de Ligt
≈ 100% Matthijs de Ligt · strong: Shots, Aerial duels won · low reliability
Strengths: Shots /90, Aerial duels won /90, xG + xA /90
≈ 100% Matthijs de Ligt · strong: Sofascore rating, xG + xA · low reliability
Strengths: Sofascore rating, xG + xA /90, Accurate final-third passes /90
≈ 100% Matthijs de Ligt · strong: Duels won, Aerial duels won · low reliability
Strengths: Duels won /90, Aerial duels won /90, Clearances /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Matthijs de Ligt?
By Doppel's tactical-fit score, Charlie Cresswell (Toulouse) does the closest job to Matthijs de Ligt, at 92/100 on profile. Marc Guéhi and Leopold Querfeld follow.
Is there a cheaper player who can replace Matthijs de Ligt?
Yes — Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest) plays a similar centre back role at roughly €300k, a 83/100 match.
How does Doppel find replacements for Matthijs de Ligt?
Doppel learns Matthijs de Ligt's role profile from his 2025/26 season and ranks centre backs across the big-5 leagues and more by how closely they do the same job, adjusted for league strength.
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