Who should replace Dean James?
LBGo Ahead Eagles · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitDean James's profile ↗
If a club needs to replace Dean James, the best-fitting left backs are Emanuele Valeri, Ryan Giles, Tom Strannegård. Emanuele Valeri (Parma) matches the role at 93/100 on tactical profile (84/100 overall). A cheaper option: Bryan Goncalves at about €500k. Data as of July 2026.
Best replacements for Dean James
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emanuele Valerisimilar↗ | Parma | 28 | €2.9m | 93 | 84 |
| 2 | Ryan Gilessimilar↗ | Hull City | 26 | €11m | 92 | 85 |
| 3 | Tom Strannegårdsimilar↗ | IK Start | 24 | €600k | 92 | 88 |
| 4 | Ulisses Garciasimilar↗ | Sassuolo | 30 | €2.9m | 91 | 80 |
| 5 | Daniel Svenssonsimilar↗ | Borussia Dortmund | 24 | €20m | 91 | 85 |
| 6 | Bryan Goncalvessimilar↗ | FCV Dender | 30 | €500k | 91 | 82 |
| 7 | Josh Tymonsimilar↗ | Swansea City | 27 | €9.7m | 91 | 80 |
| 8 | Ryoya Ogawasimilar↗ | Sint-Truidense VV | 30 | €800k | 91 | 84 |
| 9 | Giuseppe Pezzellasimilar↗ | Empoli | 29 | €2.1m | 90 | 81 |
| 10 | Tobias Mohrsimilar↗ | Standard Liège | 31 | €800k | 90 | 84 |
| 11 | Jeff Hardeveldsimilar↗ | SC Telstar | 31 | €400k | 90 | 86 |
| 12 | Marcelo Hermessimilar↗ | Criciúma | 31 | €1.0m | 90 | 81 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · data: Sofascore, last 3 seasons
Why these players match Dean James
≈ 100% Dean James · strong: Big chances created · low reliability
Strengths: Big chances created /90
≈ 100% Dean James · strong: Accurate crosses, Big chances created · low reliability
Strengths: Accurate crosses /90, Big chances created /90, xG + xA /90
≈ 100% Dean James · strong: Accurate crosses, Key passes · medium reliability
Strengths: Accurate crosses /90, Key passes /90, Finishing (npG − npxG /90)
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Dean James?
By Doppel's tactical-fit score, Emanuele Valeri (Parma) does the closest job to Dean James, at 93/100 on profile. Ryan Giles and Tom Strannegård follow.
Is there a cheaper player who can replace Dean James?
Yes — Bryan Goncalves (FCV Dender) plays a similar left back role at roughly €500k, a 82/100 match.
How does Doppel find replacements for Dean James?
Doppel learns Dean James's role profile from his 2025/26 season and ranks left backs across the big-5 leagues and more by how closely they do the same job, adjusted for league strength.
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