⬡ AI DNA · Live season

Schalke 04· 2025/2026 · Bundesliga · PARTIAL

Best Alternatives to Mertcan Ayhan

DefenderTurkey19yN/AFull profile →

Reading DefenderAerial

2.18Tkl/90

0.10KP/90

Based on 1,937 min · 2025/2026 · Bundesliga · PARTIAL

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

DNA matchPrioritizes Bundesliga & top-tier peers

Top 3 alternatives to Mertcan Ayhan

Ji-soo Kim98% match
Kaiserslautern · Bundesliga
Johannes Reichert96% match
Ulm · Bundesliga
Jano ter Horst94% match
Preußen Münster · Bundesliga

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

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Playing Style Analysis

Reading DefenderAerial

A Reading Defender. Statistically, he stands out as active in the tackle (2.0 tackles/90), commanding in the air (4.2 clearances/90), uses long balls frequently (6.0/90) and active off the ball (2.3 press score/90), contributing to defensive transitions. The three closest DNA matches to Mertcan Ayhan:

Ji-soo Kim(98% match) — A Solid Defender. Statistically, he stands out as commanding in the air (4.4 clearances/90), wins the physical battle (62% duel success) and uses long balls frequently (5.1/90).
Johannes Reichert(96% match) — A Reading Defender. Statistically, he stands out as uses long balls frequently (6.1/90).
Jano ter Horst(94% match) — A Reading Defender. Statistically, he stands out as active in the tackle (2.3 tackles/90), reads the game exceptionally (1.6 interceptions/90) and active off the ball (2.2 press score/90), contributing to defensive transitions.

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

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Similar Players — Ranked by DNA Similarity

Ji-soo Kim

Kaiserslautern · Bundesliga

South Korea21yContract 2026

vs Ayhan: 2y older

Compare Ayhan vs Kim →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the best alternatives to Mertcan Ayhan?▼

The top alternatives to Mertcan Ayhan based on AI DNA playing style analysis include: Ji-soo Kim, Johannes Reichert, Jano ter Horst, Felix Strauss, Dayot Upamecano. 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 Mertcan Ayhan in 2026?▼

Players with a similar profile to Mertcan Ayhan in 2026 include Ji-soo Kim (N/A), Johannes Reichert (N/A), Jano ter Horst (N/A). For a deeper DNA-level comparison including playing style, physical attributes, and tactical fit, ask Rising Transfers' AI directly.

What position does Mertcan Ayhan play and who plays similarly?▼

Mertcan Ayhan plays as a Defender. Players with a comparable positional profile include Ji-soo Kim (South Korea, N/A); Johannes Reichert (Germany, N/A); Jano ter Horst (Germany, N/A); Felix Strauss (Austria, 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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