Merih Demiral vs Manuel Akanji
Per-90 stats comparison · Rising Transfers DNA Analysis · 2025/26 season
Data Verdict
Manuel Akanji commands a higher market value (€22.0M vs €14.0M). Merih Demiral leads in goals / 90 and clearances / 90. Manuel Akanji is stronger in interceptions / 90 and press intensity / 90. The two players are closely matched across most statistical dimensions.
Based on per-90 statistics · How we compare players →
Playing Style Profiles
Demiral has carved out a peculiar niche in the Pro League: a centre-back who contributes to his side's attack with the conviction of a midfielder and the efficiency of a poacher. His aerial dominance is the headline—top 5% for aerials won puts him among the most physically imposing defenders in the division—yet the counterintuitive truth is that his real value lies in what happens after he wins those duels.
Akanji builds play with the precision of a midfielder wearing a centre-back's shirt—his 92.2% pass accuracy sits in the top 10% of Serie A defenders, and his 67.5 passes per 90 ranks in the top 5%, making him one of the league's most active distributors from deep. His 6.43 passes into the final third per 90 places him in the top 20%, meaning his value isn't just in keeping possession clean but in genuinely advancing it.
Per-90 Statistics Comparison
| Metric | Merih Demiral | Manuel Akanji | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goals / 90 | 0.13 | 0.00 | Merih |
| Tackles won / 90 | 0.81 | 0.79 | — |
| Interceptions / 90 | 0.76 | 1.53 | Manuel |
| Clearances / 90 | 4.11 | 3.67 | Merih |
| Press intensity / 90 | 1.62 | 2.30 | Manuel |
| Pass accuracy % | 91.20 | 91.60 | Manuel |
All statistics per 90 minutes · 2025/26 season · FULL quality DNA data only
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the better player — Merih Demiral or Manuel Akanji?
Manuel Akanji commands a higher market value (€22.0M vs €14.0M). Merih Demiral leads in goals / 90 and clearances / 90. Manuel Akanji is stronger in interceptions / 90 and press intensity / 90. The two players are closely matched across most statistical dimensions.
How is this comparison calculated?
Rising Transfers compares players using per-90 statistics normalised for playing time, combined with DNA playing style vectors built from 47 performance dimensions. This ensures fair comparison regardless of team, league, or playing time. Learn more about our comparison methodology →
What are their market values?
Merih Demiral has a market value of €14.0M, while Manuel Akanji is valued at €22.0M.