⬡ AI DNA · Live season

Middlesbrough· 2025/2026 · Championship · FULL

Best Alternatives to Hayden Hackney

Defensive MidfieldEngland23yN/AFull profile →

MetronomeCreative

2.29KP/90

0.14G/90

0.19A/90

Based on 3,337 min · 2025/2026 · Championship · FULL

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

DNA matchPrioritizes Championship & top-tier peers

Top 3 alternatives to Hayden Hackney

Nicolò Rovella 97% match
Lazio · Serie A · €23.0M
Ardon Jashari96% match
AC Milan · Serie A · €30.0M
Jordan Holsgrove98% match
Estoril · Liga Portugal

Ranked by RT Player DNA + league/value credibility. Scroll for full list, per-90 stats, and share cards.

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Intelligence Verdict

Key PassesTop 5%

???Bottom 15%

“A Metronome....”

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Playing Style Analysis

MetronomeCreative

A Metronome. Statistically, he stands out as an elite creator (2.3 key passes/90), a constant goal threat (2.6 shots/90), a reliable supplier (0.19 assists/90), active in the tackle (1.8 tackles/90), meticulous in distribution (86% pass accuracy), heavily involved in possession (66 passes/90), penetrates with forward passing (8.5 final-third passes/90), central to possession (88 touches/90), active off the ball (2.8 press score/90), contributing to defensive transitions and top 10% creator in the league. The three closest DNA matches to Hayden Hackney:

Nicolò Rovella (97% match) — A Metronome. Statistically, he stands out as an elite creator (2.3 key passes/90), a reliable supplier (0.18 assists/90), active in the tackle (1.9 tackles/90), reads the game exceptionally (1.8 interceptions/90), meticulous in distribution (93% pass accuracy), wins the physical battle (63% duel success), heavily involved in possession (86 passes/90), penetrates with forward passing (12.3 final-third passes/90), central to possession (103 touches/90), draws fouls effectively (2.3/90), a high-intensity presser (press score 3.7/90), constantly disrupting opposition build-up and top 10% creator in the league.
Ardon Jashari(96% match) — A Metronome. Statistically, he stands out as a capable chance creator (1.2 key passes/90), active in the tackle (1.8 tackles/90), meticulous in distribution (91% pass accuracy), central to possession (71 touches/90) and active off the ball (2.6 press score/90), contributing to defensive transitions.
Jordan Holsgrove(98% match) — A Metronome. Statistically, he stands out as an elite creator (1.7 key passes/90), a reliable supplier (0.22 assists/90), active in the tackle (1.9 tackles/90), meticulous in distribution (85% pass accuracy), heavily involved in possession (75 passes/90), penetrates with forward passing (12.4 final-third passes/90), central to possession (91 touches/90), uses long balls frequently (7.8/90), active off the ball (2.5 press score/90), contributing to defensive transitions and top 20% creator in the league.

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

Comparison Base

Hayden Hackney

MidfielderEnglandChampionshipN/A

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Similar Players — Ranked by DNA Similarity

Nicolò Rovella

Lazio · Serie A

Italy24yContract 2028

KP/902.29

G/900.00

MetronomeCreativeOut of form ↓

97% match

€23.0M

Compare Hackney vs Rovella →

Ask about replacements for Hackney

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the best alternatives to Hayden Hackney?▼

The top alternatives to Hayden Hackney based on AI DNA playing style analysis include: Nicolò Rovella , Ardon Jashari, Jordan Holsgrove, Manu Molina, Magnus Kirchheiner. 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 Hayden Hackney in 2026?▼

Players with a similar profile to Hayden Hackney in 2026 include Nicolò Rovella (€23.0M), Ardon Jashari (€30.0M), Jordan Holsgrove (N/A). For a deeper DNA-level comparison including playing style, physical attributes, and tactical fit, ask Rising Transfers' AI directly.

What position does Hayden Hackney play and who plays similarly?▼

Hayden Hackney plays as a Midfielder. Players with a comparable positional profile include Nicolò Rovella (Italy, €23.0M); Ardon Jashari (Switzerland, €30.0M); Jordan Holsgrove (Scotland, N/A); Manu Molina (Spain, 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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