Who should replace Nico González?
CM/CDMManchester City · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitNico González's profile ↗
If a club needs to replace Nico González, the best-fitting central midfielders are Mikel Merino, Thomas Partey, Carlos Baleba. Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad) matches the role at 91/100 on tactical profile (78/100 overall). A cheaper option: Thomas Partey at about €1.9m. Data as of July 2026.
Best replacements for Nico González
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mikel Merinosimilar↗ | Real Sociedad | 27 | €26m | 91 | 78 |
| 2 | Thomas Parteysimilar↗ | Arsenal | 31 | €1.9m | 90 | 74 |
| 3 | Carlos Balebasimilar↗ | Brighton & Hove Albion | 20 | €53m | 89 | 74 |
| 4 | Elliot Andersonsimilar↗ | Nottingham Forest | 23 | €68m | 89 | 76 |
| 5 | Gavisimilar↗ | FC Barcelona | 20 | €31m | 88 | 74 |
| 6 | Pierre Lees Melousimilar↗ | Stade Brestois | 30 | €4.2m | 88 | 75 |
| 7 | Amadou Haidarasimilar↗ | RB Leipzig | 25 | €4.9m | 88 | 73 |
| 8 | Mamadou Sangaresimilar↗ | RC Lens | 23 | €39m | 87 | 74 |
| 9 | Iñigo Ruiz de Galarretasimilar↗ | Athletic Club | 32 | €1.8m | 86 | 74 |
| 10 | Declan Ricesimilar↗ | Arsenal | 24 | €114m | 85 | 75 |
| 11 | Ander Herrerasimilar↗ | Athletic Club | 34 | €400k | 85 | 75 |
| 12 | Joelintonsimilar↗ | Newcastle United | 28 | €27m | 85 | 75 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · data: Sofascore, last 3 seasons
Why these players match Nico González
≈ 100% Nico González · strong: Duels won, Aerial duels won · low reliability
Strengths: Duels won /90, Aerial duels won /90, Sofascore rating
≈ 100% Nico González · strong: Tackles + interceptions, Accurate final-third passes · low reliability
Strengths: Tackles + interceptions /90, Accurate final-third passes /90, Sofascore rating
≈ 100% Nico González · strong: Tackles + interceptions, Duels won · low reliability
Strengths: Tackles + interceptions /90, Duels won /90, Successful dribbles /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Nico González?
By Doppel's tactical-fit score, Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad) does the closest job to Nico González, at 91/100 on profile. Thomas Partey and Carlos Baleba follow.
Is there a cheaper player who can replace Nico González?
Yes — Thomas Partey (Arsenal) plays a similar central midfielder role at roughly €1.9m, a 74/100 match.
How does Doppel find replacements for Nico González?
Doppel learns Nico González's role profile from his 2025/26 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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