Who should replace Mikel Merino?
CMArsenal · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitMikel Merino's profile ↗
Mikel Merino is a central midfielder for Arsenal in the Premier League, having made 22 appearances in the 2025/26 season, contributing 4 goals and 3 assists. For those seeking the best replacement for Merino, Eric Ebimbe from Eintracht Frankfurt offers a strong tactical fit with a score of 87/100, while Corentin Tolisso and Leon Goretzka also present excellent alternatives with fit scores of 84/100.
Building your XI? Put Mikel Merino in a lineup and get the whole team rated on real data.Build a lineup →Best replacements for Mikel Merino
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corentin Tolissosimilar↗ | Olympique Lyonnais | 32 | €11m | 95 | 84 |
| 2 | Leon Goretzkasimilar↗ | FC Bayern München | 31 | €11m | 93 | 84 |
| 3 | Rodrisimilar↗ | Manchester City | 30 | €50m | 93 | 83 |
| 4 | Eric Ebimbesimilar↗ | Eintracht Frankfurt | 26 | €6.5m | 92 | 87 |
| 5 | Malik Tillmansimilar↗ | PSV Eindhoven | 24 | €27m | 92 | 84 |
| 6 | Jae-sung Leesimilar↗ | 1. FSV Mainz 05 | 34 | €2.1m | 92 | 84 |
| 7 | Nikolas Narteysimilar↗ | VfB Stuttgart | 26 | €10m | 91 | 83 |
| 8 | Diego Gómezsimilar↗ | Brighton & Hove Albion | 23 | €27m | 91 | 83 |
| 9 | Johan Manzambisimilar↗ | SC Freiburg | 21 | €54m | 91 | 83 |
| 10 | Lorenzo Pellegrinisimilar↗ | AS Roma | 30 | €8.4m | 90 | 82 |
| 11 | Christoph Baumgartnersimilar↗ | RB Leipzig | 27 | €42m | 90 | 83 |
| 12 | Jens Stagesimilar↗ | SV Werder Bremen | 30 | €14m | 90 | 82 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · last 3 seasons
Why these players match Mikel Merino
≈ 100% Mikel Merino · strong: Possession won in att. third, Non-penalty goals · low reliability
Strengths: Possession won in att. third /90, Non-penalty goals /90, Sofascore rating
≈ 100% Mikel Merino · strong: Sofascore rating, Touches · low reliability
Strengths: Sofascore rating, Touches /90, Shots /90
≈ 100% Mikel Merino · strong: Touches, Accurate final-third passes · low reliability
Strengths: Touches /90, Accurate final-third passes /90, Accurate long balls /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for Mikel Merino?
By Doppel's tactical-fit score, Corentin Tolisso (Olympique Lyonnais) does the closest job to Mikel Merino, at 95/100 on profile. Leon Goretzka and Rodri follow.
Is there a cheaper player who can replace Mikel Merino?
Yes — Jae-sung Lee (1. FSV Mainz 05) plays a similar central midfielder role at roughly €2.1m, a 84/100 match.
How does Doppel find replacements for Mikel Merino?
Doppel learns Mikel Merino'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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