Who should replace Kodai Sano?
CM/CDMNEC Nijmegen · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitKodai Sano's profile ↗
Kodai Sano is a central midfielder/defensive midfielder for NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie, aged 23, with a market value of €13m. The best replacements for Sano include Johan Manzambi of SC Freiburg, who has a fit score of 85/100, and Ross Barkley from Luton Town, with a fit score of 84/100. For those searching for players similar to Sano, both options provide strong tactical fits in midfield.
Building your XI? Put Kodai Sano in a lineup and get the whole team rated on real data.Build a lineup →Best replacements for Kodai Sano
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ross Barkleysimilar↗ | Luton Town | 33 | €3.6m | 95 | 84 |
| 2 | Elliot Andersonsimilar↗ | Nottingham Forest | 24 | €68m | 95 | 82 |
| 3 | Iñigo Ruiz de Galarretasimilar↗ | Athletic Club | 33 | €1.8m | 94 | 81 |
| 4 | Johan Manzambisimilar↗ | SC Freiburg | 21 | €54m | 93 | 85 |
| 5 | Conor Gallaghersimilar↗ | Chelsea | 26 | €31m | 93 | 81 |
| 6 | Arthur Attasimilar↗ | Udinese | 23 | €27m | 92 | 82 |
| 7 | Alex Scottsimilar↗ | Bournemouth | 23 | €53m | 92 | 82 |
| 8 | Rodrisimilar↗ | Manchester City | 30 | €50m | 92 | 82 |
| 9 | Félix Lemaréchalsimilar↗ | Cercle Brugge | 23 | €6.5m | 92 | 84 |
| 10 | Filip Krastevsimilar↗ | PEC Zwolle | 25 | €2.9m | 92 | 86 |
| 11 | Tom Bischofsimilar↗ | TSG Hoffenheim | 21 | €39m | 92 | 83 |
| 12 | Kévin Danoissimilar↗ | Auxerre | 22 | €21m | 92 | 81 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · last 3 seasons
Why these players match Kodai Sano
≈ 100% Kodai Sano · strong: Successful dribbles, Shots · low reliability
Strengths: Successful dribbles /90, Shots /90, Duels won /90
≈ 100% Kodai Sano · strong: Duels won, Touches · low reliability
Strengths: Duels won /90, Touches /90, Accurate crosses /90
≈ 100% Kodai Sano · strong: Possession won in att. third, Successful dribbles · low reliability
Strengths: Possession won in att. third /90, Successful dribbles /90, Duels won /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Kodai Sano?
By Doppel's tactical-fit score, Ross Barkley (Luton Town) does the closest job to Kodai Sano, at 95/100 on profile. Elliot Anderson and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta follow.
Is there a cheaper player who can replace Kodai Sano?
Yes — Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Athletic Club) plays a similar central midfielder role at roughly €1.8m, a 81/100 match.
How does Doppel find replacements for Kodai Sano?
Doppel learns Kodai Sano'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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