Who should replace Kodai Sano?
CM/CDMPSV Eindhoven · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitKodai Sano's profile ↗
Kodai Sano is a central midfielder/defensive midfielder for PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie, with 34 appearances in the 2025/26 season, contributing 3 goals and 7 assists. For those seeking the best replacement for Sano, Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg offers an excellent tactical fit with a score of 85/100, while Ross Barkley from Aston Villa also provides a strong option with a fit score of 84/100.
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↗ | Aston Villa | 33 | €3.6m | 95 | 84 |
| 2 | Elliot Andersonsimilar↗ | Manchester City | 24 | €100m | 95 | 81 |
| 3 | Iñigo Ruiz de Galarretasimilar↗ | Athletic Club | 33 | €1.8m | 94 | 81 |
| 4 | Johan Manzambisimilar↗ | SC Freiburg | 21 | €54m | 93 | 85 |
| 5 | Conor Gallaghersimilar↗ | Tottenham Hotspur | 26 | €31m | 93 | 81 |
| 6 | Adrien Rabiotsimilar↗ | AC Milan | 31 | €17m | 93 | 81 |
| 7 | Alex Scottsimilar↗ | Bournemouth | 23 | €53m | 92 | 82 |
| 8 | Arthur Attasimilar↗ | Fiorentina | 23 | €27m | 92 | 82 |
| 9 | Félix Lemaréchalsimilar↗ | Club Brugge KV | 23 | €6.5m | 92 | 84 |
| 10 | Filip Krastevsimilar↗ | PEC Zwolle | 25 | €2.9m | 92 | 86 |
| 11 | Tom Bischofsimilar↗ | FC Bayern München | 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 (Aston Villa) 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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