Who should replace Mateo Kovačić?
CM/CDMManchester City · 2024/25 · ranked by tactical + market fitMateo Kovačić's profile ↗
If a club needs to replace Mateo Kovačić, the best-fitting central midfielders are Rodri, Conor Gallagher, Bruno Guimarães. Rodri (Manchester City) matches the role at 94/100 on tactical profile (84/100 overall). A cheaper option: Exequiel Palacios at about €26m. Data as of July 2026.
Best replacements for Mateo Kovačić
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodrisimilar↗ | Manchester City | 27 | €50m | 94 | 84 |
| 2 | Conor Gallaghersimilar↗ | Chelsea | 23 | €31m | 93 | 81 |
| 3 | Bruno Guimarãessimilar↗ | Newcastle United | 27 | €72m | 92 | 80 |
| 4 | Exequiel Palaciossimilar↗ | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | 25 | €26m | 92 | 82 |
| 5 | Declan Ricesimilar↗ | Arsenal | 24 | €114m | 92 | 79 |
| 6 | João Nevessimilar↗ | Paris Saint-Germain | 20 | €148m | 91 | 80 |
| 7 | Elliot Andersonsimilar↗ | Nottingham Forest | 23 | €68m | 91 | 77 |
| 8 | Tom Bischofsimilar↗ | TSG Hoffenheim | 19 | €39m | 90 | 80 |
| 9 | Teddy Teumasimilar↗ | Stade de Reims | 30 | €1.6m | 90 | 81 |
| 10 | Vitinhasimilar↗ | Paris Saint-Germain | 23 | €130m | 90 | 77 |
| 11 | Nadiem Amirisimilar↗ | 1. FSV Mainz 05 | 28 | €16m | 89 | 83 |
| 12 | Giovani Lo Celsosimilar↗ | Real Betis | 28 | €7.8m | 89 | 83 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · data: Sofascore, last 3 seasons
Why these players match Mateo Kovačić
≈ 100% Mateo Kovačić · strong: Touches, Accurate final-third passes · low reliability
Strengths: Touches /90, Accurate final-third passes /90, Accurate long balls /90
≈ 100% Mateo Kovačić · strong: Possession won in att. third, Sofascore rating · low reliability
Strengths: Possession won in att. third /90, Sofascore rating, Accurate final-third passes /90
≈ 100% Mateo Kovačić · strong: Sofascore rating, Duels won · low reliability
Strengths: Sofascore rating, Duels won /90, Big chances created /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Mateo Kovačić?
By Doppel's tactical-fit score, Rodri (Manchester City) does the closest job to Mateo Kovačić, at 94/100 on profile. Conor Gallagher and Bruno Guimarães follow.
Is there a cheaper player who can replace Mateo Kovačić?
Yes — Exequiel Palacios (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) plays a similar central midfielder role at roughly €26m, a 82/100 match.
How does Doppel find replacements for Mateo Kovačić?
Doppel learns Mateo Kovačić's role profile from his 2024/25 season and ranks central midfielders across the big-5 leagues and more by how closely they do the same job, adjusted for league strength.
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