Who should replace Ao Tanaka?
CM/CDMLeeds United · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitAo Tanaka's profile ↗
If a club needs to replace Ao Tanaka, the best-fitting central midfielders are Arne Engels, Matúš Bero, Declan Rice. Arne Engels (FC Augsburg) matches the role at 91/100 on tactical profile (80/100 overall). A cheaper option: Matúš Bero at about €900k. Data as of July 2026.
Best replacements for Ao Tanaka
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arne Engelssimilar↗ | FC Augsburg | 20 | €21m | 91 | 80 |
| 2 | Matúš Berosimilar↗ | VfL Bochum 1848 | 29 | €900k | 91 | 83 |
| 3 | Declan Ricesimilar↗ | Arsenal | 24 | €114m | 91 | 78 |
| 4 | Maximilian Arnoldsimilar↗ | VfL Wolfsburg | 29 | €2.8m | 90 | 78 |
| 5 | Wouter Burgersimilar↗ | TSG Hoffenheim | 24 | €21m | 90 | 82 |
| 6 | Vincent Sierrosimilar↗ | Toulouse | 29 | €3.2m | 89 | 82 |
| 7 | Neil El Aynaouisimilar↗ | RC Lens | 23 | €22m | 89 | 81 |
| 8 | Ivan Rakitićsimilar↗ | Sevilla | 35 | €2.9m* | 89 | 80 |
| 9 | Hakan Çalhanoğlusimilar↗ | Inter | 29 | €17m | 89 | 84 |
| 10 | Enzo Le Féesimilar↗ | Sunderland | 25 | €26m | 89 | 81 |
| 11 | Corentin Tolissosimilar↗ | Olympique Lyonnais | 30 | €11m | 88 | 80 |
| 12 | Fredrik Jensensimilar↗ | FC Augsburg | 26 | €1.9m | 88 | 81 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · data: Sofascore, last 3 seasons
Why these players match Ao Tanaka
≈ 100% Ao Tanaka · strong: Finishing (npG − npxG, Accurate crosses · medium reliability
Strengths: Finishing (npG − npxG /90), Accurate crosses /90, Non-penalty goals /90
≈ 100% Ao Tanaka · strong: Accurate crosses, Possession won in att. third · low reliability
Strengths: Accurate crosses /90, Possession won in att. third /90, Key passes /90
≈ 100% Ao Tanaka · strong: Sofascore rating, Finishing (npG − npxG · low reliability
Strengths: Sofascore rating, Finishing (npG − npxG /90), Accurate final-third passes /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Ao Tanaka?
By Doppel's tactical-fit score, Arne Engels (FC Augsburg) does the closest job to Ao Tanaka, at 91/100 on profile. Matúš Bero and Declan Rice follow.
Is there a cheaper player who can replace Ao Tanaka?
Yes — Matúš Bero (VfL Bochum 1848) plays a similar central midfielder role at roughly €900k, a 83/100 match.
How does Doppel find replacements for Ao Tanaka?
Doppel learns Ao Tanaka'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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