Who should replace João Palhinha?
CM/CDMTottenham Hotspur · 2025/26 · ranked by tactical + market fitJoão Palhinha's profile ↗
João Palhinha is a central midfielder/defensive midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, with 33 appearances in the 2025/26 season. The best replacements for Palhinha, based on tactical fit, include Samú Costa from Mallorca (fit score 81/100) and Andrey Santos from RC Strasbourg (fit score 81/100). Both players demonstrate a strong ability to fulfil a similar role in midfield.
Building your XI? Put João Palhinha in a lineup and get the whole team rated on real data.Build a lineup →Best replacements for João Palhinha
| # | Player | Club | Age | Value | Tactical | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samú Costasimilar↗ | Mallorca | 26 | €15m | 95 | 81 |
| 2 | Kervin Arriagasimilar↗ | Levante UD | 28 | €2.1m | 93 | 76 |
| 3 | Andrey Santossimilar↗ | RC Strasbourg | 22 | €39m | 92 | 81 |
| 4 | Carlos Benavídezsimilar↗ | Deportivo Alavés | 28 | €1.0m | 92 | 76 |
| 5 | Enric Llansanasimilar↗ | Go Ahead Eagles | 25 | €2.1m | 91 | 81 |
| 6 | Tommaso Pobegasimilar↗ | Bologna | 27 | €8.2m | 91 | 76 |
| 7 | Pape Gueyesimilar↗ | Villarreal | 27 | €39m | 91 | 79 |
| 8 | Giulio Maggioresimilar↗ | Salernitana | 28 | €500k | 91 | 79 |
| 9 | Melle Meulensteensimilar↗ | Go Ahead Eagles | 27 | €2.4m | 91 | 80 |
| 10 | Yangel Herrerasimilar↗ | Girona FC | 28 | €5.6m | 91 | 80 |
| 11 | Luca Mazzitellisimilar↗ | Frosinone | 31 | €1.3m | 91 | 77 |
| 12 | Darko Nejašmićsimilar↗ | NEC Nijmegen | 27 | €4.1m | 90 | 79 |
* estimated market value · scores 0–100, league-strength adjusted · last 3 seasons
Why these players match João Palhinha
≈ 100% João Palhinha · strong: Duels won, Aerial duels won · low reliability
Strengths: Duels won /90, Aerial duels won /90, Clearances /90
≈ 100% João Palhinha · strong: Clearances, Aerial duels won · medium reliability
Strengths: Clearances /90, Aerial duels won /90, Finishing (npG − npxG /90)
≈ 100% João Palhinha · strong: Finishing (npG − npxG, Sofascore rating · low reliability
Strengths: Finishing (npG − npxG /90), Sofascore rating, Non-penalty goals /90
FAQ
Who is the best replacement for João Palhinha?
By Doppel's tactical-fit score, Samú Costa (Mallorca) does the closest job to João Palhinha, at 95/100 on profile. Kervin Arriaga and Andrey Santos follow.
Is there a cheaper player who can replace João Palhinha?
Yes — Giulio Maggiore (Salernitana) plays a similar central midfielder role at roughly €500k, a 79/100 match.
How does Doppel find replacements for João Palhinha?
Doppel learns João Palhinha'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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