RisingTransfers
AI DNA Similarity

Best Alternatives to Joshua Zirkzee

Players most similar to Joshua Zirkzee (Attacker, €22.0M) — ranked by AI DNA similarity score across playing style, pressing intensity, and tactical fit.

Top 3 Alternatives to Joshua Zirkzee

  1. 1.Ben Gannon-Doak84% DNA match·AFC Bournemouth€18.0M
  2. 2.Dominic Calvert-Lewin83% DNA match·Leeds United€22.0M
  3. 3.Cody Gakpo83% DNA match·Liverpool€70.0M

Ranked by AI DNA similarity — 768 dimensions across playing style, pressing intensity, and tactical fit.

RT

Intelligence Verdict

Aerials WonTop 4%
???Bottom 2%

A Target Man....

See Full Verdict + Share Card →

Playing Style Analysis

Target ManSmall Sample

A Target Man. Statistically, he stands out as an elite creator (1.5 key passes/90), a constant goal threat (3.3 shots/90), a regular goalscorer (0.30 goals/90), a reliable supplier (0.15 assists/90) and strong in aerial duels (3.0 aerials won/90). However, he loses possession under pressure (1.7 dispossessed/90). The three most similar players to Joshua Zirkzee by playing style are:

  • Ben Gannon-Doak(84% match)A Forward. Statistically, he stands out as an elite creator (2.3 key passes/90), a prolific assist provider (0.35 assists/90) and creates high-quality scoring opportunities (1.72 big chances/90).
  • Dominic Calvert-Lewin(83% match)A Target Man. Statistically, he stands out as a constant goal threat (2.5 shots/90), a proven goalscorer (0.44 goals/90), strong in aerial duels (4.3 aerials won/90) and top 20% scorer in the league.
  • Cody Gakpo(83% match)A Inside Forward. Statistically, he stands out as an elite creator (1.7 key passes/90), a constant goal threat (2.9 shots/90), a regular goalscorer (0.24 goals/90) and a reliable supplier (0.17 assists/90).

Transfer Intelligence

Ben Gannon-Doak delivers 84% of the same playing style, at 18% lower cost (€18.0M vs €22.0M), with 0.15 goals per 90 at age 20. That's 50% of Joshua Zirkzee's output in goals per 90 — a credible like-for-like option.

Similarity is calculated using per-90 performance data across multiple playing style dimensions. How Player DNA matching works →

J
Comparison Base
Joshua Zirkzee
AttackerNetherlands€22.0M
Full profile →

Similar Players — Ranked by DNA Similarity

#1
B
Ben Gannon-Doak
AFC Bournemouth · Premier League
Scotland20yContract 2030
G/900.15
A/900.35
Last 5: ↓ Dip
vs Zirkzee: 4y younger · -0.15 G/90
84% match
€18.0M
#2
D
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Leeds United · Premier League
England29yContract 2028
G/900.46
A/900.04
Target ManProlific
Last 5: ↑ Hot
vs Zirkzee: 5y older · +0.15 G/90
83% match
€22.0M
#3
C
Cody Gakpo
Liverpool · Premier League
Netherlands27yContract 2028
G/900.24
A/900.17
Inside Forward
Last 5: → Stable
vs Zirkzee: €48M more expensive · 3y older · -0.06 G/90
83% match
€70.0M
#4
R
Ricardo Pepi
PSV · Eredivisie
23yContract 2030
G/901.02
A/900.07
PoacherProlific
Last 5: ↑ Hot
84% match
€25.0M
#5
L
Lukas Nmecha
Leeds United · Premier League
Germany27yContract 2027
G/900.57
A/900.09
Target ManProlific
Last 5: ↓ Dip
84% match
€10.0M
#6
T
Troy Parrott
AZ · Eredivisie
Republic of Ireland24yContract 2029
G/900.71
A/900.13
PoacherProlific
Last 5: → Stable
84% match
€22.0M
#7
Y
Youssef Chermiti
Rangers · Premier League
Portugal21yContract 2029
G/900.67
A/900.22
Complete ForwardProlific
Last 5: → Stable
84% match
€9.0M
#8
A
Alassane Pléa
PSV · Eredivisie
France33yContract 2028
G/900.52
A/900.23
Complete ForwardProlific
83% match
€3.0M
#9
K
Kasper Dolberg
Ajax · Eredivisie
Denmark28yContract 2029
G/900.25
A/900.25
Last 5: ↓ Dip
84% match
€12.0M
#10
A
Armando Broja
Burnley · Premier League
Albania24yContract 2030
G/900.11
A/900.11
Target ManSmall Sample
Last 5: ↓ Dip
84% match
€8.0M
#11
E
Esmir Bajraktarevic
PSV · Eredivisie
United States21yContract 2029
G/900.34
A/900.34
Inside Forward
Last 5: ↑ Hot
83% match
€5.0M
#12
N
Nick Woltemade
Newcastle United · Premier League
Germany24yContract 2031
G/900.36
A/900.15
Complete Forward
Last 5: ↓ Dip
83% match
€65.0M

Ask AI: Why are these players similar?

Our 768-dimension Player DNA model matches playing style, physical profile, pressing intensity, and tactical fit. Ask the AI to explain exactly what makes these players statistically similar to Joshua Zirkzee.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the best alternatives to Joshua Zirkzee?
The top alternatives to Joshua Zirkzee based on AI DNA playing style analysis include: Ben Gannon-Doak, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Cody Gakpo, Ricardo Pepi, Lukas Nmecha. 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 Joshua Zirkzee in 2026?
Players with a similar profile to Joshua Zirkzee in 2026 include Ben Gannon-Doak (€18.0M), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (€22.0M), Cody Gakpo (€70.0M). For a deeper DNA-level comparison including playing style, physical attributes, and tactical fit, ask Rising Transfers' AI directly.
What position does Joshua Zirkzee play and who plays similarly?
Joshua Zirkzee plays as a Attacker. Players with a comparable positional profile include Ben Gannon-Doak (Scotland, €18.0M); Dominic Calvert-Lewin (England, €22.0M); Cody Gakpo (Netherlands, €70.0M); Ricardo Pepi (, €25.0M).
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.