⬡ AI DNA · Live season

NEC Nijmegen· 2023/2024 · Eredivisie · FULL

Best Alternatives to Jetro Willems

DefenderNetherlands32y€1.0MFull profile →

Solid Defender

1.45Tkl/90

0.72KP/90

Based on 1,075 min · 2023/2024 · Eredivisie · FULL

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

DNA matchPrioritizes Eredivisie & top-tier peers

Top 3 alternatives to Jetro Willems

Dean James82% match
Go Ahead Eagles · Eredivisie
Boy Kemper82% match
NAC Breda · Eredivisie
Guus Offerhaus81% match
Telstar · Eredivisie

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

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Intelligence Verdict

ShotsTop 22%

???Bottom 1%

“Jetro Willems is a Solid Defender....”

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Playing Style Analysis

Solid Defender

Jetro Willems is a Solid Defender. Reliable defender contributing in aerial and ground duels. Statistically, he stands out as a capable chance creator (1.1 key passes/90). The three closest DNA matches to Jetro Willems:

Dean James(82% match) — A Solid Defender. Statistically, he stands out as a capable chance creator (1.4 key passes/90), active in the tackle (1.9 tackles/90), wins the physical battle (60% duel success) and active off the ball (2.2 press score/90), contributing to defensive transitions.
Boy Kemper(82% match) — A Active Full-Back. Statistically, he stands out as a capable chance creator (1.2 key passes/90), uses long balls frequently (5.5/90) and active off the ball (2.1 press score/90), contributing to defensive transitions.
Guus Offerhaus(81% match) — Guus Offerhaus is a Physical Stopper. Aggressive defender who wins aerial and ground duels.

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

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Similar Players — Ranked by DNA Similarity

Dean James

Go Ahead Eagles · Eredivisie

Netherlands26yContract 2028

Tkl/901.93

KP/901.44

Solid DefenderIn form ↑

vs Willems: 6y younger

82% match

N/A

Compare Willems vs James →

Ask about replacements for Willems

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

Knows 56,883 players. Knows 3,481 clubs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the best alternatives to Jetro Willems?▼

The top alternatives to Jetro Willems based on AI DNA playing style analysis include: Dean James, Boy Kemper, Guus Offerhaus, Roland Baas, Jan-Hendrik Marx. 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 Jetro Willems in 2026?▼

Players with a similar profile to Jetro Willems in 2026 include Dean James (N/A), Boy Kemper (N/A), Guus Offerhaus (N/A). For a deeper DNA-level comparison including playing style, physical attributes, and tactical fit, ask Rising Transfers' AI directly.

What position does Jetro Willems play and who plays similarly?▼

Jetro Willems plays as a Defender. Players with a comparable positional profile include Dean James (Netherlands, N/A); Boy Kemper (Netherlands, N/A); Guus Offerhaus (Netherlands, N/A); Roland Baas (Netherlands, 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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