⬡ AI DNA · Live season

Machida Zelvia· 2025 · J-League · FULL

Best Alternatives to Gen Shoji

Centre BackJapan33y€2.0MFull profile →

Solid DefenderAerial

1.47Tkl/90

0.34KP/90

Based on 3,420 min · 2025 · J-League · FULL

Ranked by AI DNA similarity — playing style, pressing, and tactical fit. Below: the closest replacements with per-90 stats and form.

Note: Top DNA style matches can come from lower leagues. We also surface J-League peers ranked by market value and league tier — scroll the full list below.

DNA matchDNA style match · see league & value below

Top 3 alternatives to Gen Shoji

Kota Takai79% match
Borussia Mönchengladbach · Bundesliga · €5.0M
Márton Dárdai80% match
Hertha BSC · Bundesliga

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Intelligence Verdict

Chances MissedTop 1%

“Gen Shōji is a Solid Defender....”

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Playing Style Analysis

Solid DefenderAerial

Gen Shōji is a Solid Defender. Reliable defender contributing in aerial and ground duels. Statistically, he stands out as commanding in the air (4.1 clearances/90), wins the physical battle (60% duel success), penetrates with forward passing (11.5 final-third passes/90) and uses long balls frequently (10.9/90). The three closest DNA matches to Gen Shoji:

Kota Takai(79% match) — A Ball-Playing CB. Statistically, he stands out as commanding in the air (4.8 clearances/90), meticulous in distribution (89% pass accuracy), wins the physical battle (59% duel success), heavily involved in possession (60 passes/90), central to possession (74 touches/90), uses long balls frequently (5.6/90) and active off the ball (2.4 press score/90), contributing to defensive transitions.
Márton Dárdai(80% match) — Márton Dárdai is a Solid Defender. Reliable defender contributing in aerial and ground duels.
Tim Oermann(80% match) — A Solid Defender. Statistically, he stands out as active in the tackle (2.0 tackles/90).

Similarity uses per-90 performance across playing-style dimensions. How Player DNA matching works →

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Similar Players — Ranked by DNA Similarity

Kota Takai

Borussia Mönchengladbach · Bundesliga

Japan21yContract 2026

Tkl/901.75

KP/900.09

Ball-Playing CBBall-Playing

vs Shoji: 12y younger

79% match

€5.0M

Compare Shoji vs Takai →

Ask about replacements for Shoji

Same DNA shortlist as above — budget fit, who to avoid, or why the top match works.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the best alternatives to Gen Shoji?▼

The top alternatives to Gen Shoji based on AI DNA playing style analysis include: Kota Takai, Márton Dárdai, Tim Oermann, Gédéon Kalulu, Jannik Dehm. These players were matched using Rising Transfers' 768-dimension DNA model across playing style, pressing intensity, and tactical fit — not just position or market value.

Which players are similar to Gen Shoji in 2026?▼

Players with a similar profile to Gen Shoji in 2026 include Kota Takai (€5.0M), Márton Dárdai (N/A), Tim Oermann (€4.0M). For a deeper DNA-level comparison including playing style, physical attributes, and tactical fit, ask Rising Transfers' AI directly.

What position does Gen Shoji play and who plays similarly?▼

Gen Shoji plays as a Defender. Players with a comparable positional profile include Kota Takai (Japan, €5.0M); Márton Dárdai (Germany, N/A); Tim Oermann (Germany, €4.0M); Gédéon Kalulu (France, N/A).

How does Rising Transfers find similar players?▼

Rising Transfers uses a proprietary 768-dimension Player DNA model trained on 3.2 million match events. Each player is represented as a vector across 35+ per-90 metrics including pressing intensity, passing footprint, dribbling profile, and defensive contribution. Similarity is measured using cosine distance — the same technique used in state-of-the-art AI systems — making it the most precise player comparison tool available publicly.

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