RisingTransfers
AI DNA Similarity

Best Alternatives to Paulo Dybala

Players most similar to Paulo Dybala (Attacker, €5.0M) — ranked by AI DNA similarity score across playing style, pressing intensity, and tactical fit.

Top 3 Alternatives to Paulo Dybala

  1. 1.Federico Bernardeschi85% DNA match·Bologna€3.5M
  2. 2.Mohamed Salah83% DNA match·Liverpool€30.0M
  3. 3.Sebastiano Esposito84% DNA match·Cagliari€9.0M

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

RT

Intelligence Verdict

Key PassesTop 1%

A Link-up Striker....

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Playing Style Analysis

Link-up StrikerSmall Sample

A Link-up Striker. Statistically, he stands out as naturally left-footed, an elite creator (3.6 key passes/90), a constant goal threat (2.6 shots/90), a prolific assist provider (0.32 assists/90), creates high-quality scoring opportunities (0.65 big chances/90) and draws fouls effectively (2.1/90). Note: this profile is based on 832 minutes of playing time this season. The three most similar players to Paulo Dybala by playing style are:

  • Federico Bernardeschi(85% match)Bernardeschi remains the quintessential Italian "fantasista" trapped in an era of rigid systems, operating as a high-volume creative hub for a struggling Tier C side. While his goal output is merely pedestrian, his underlying metrics reveal a playmaker of elite continental caliber; he ranks in the top 5% of the league for key passes, progressive balls, and successful dribbles. This isn't just a winger hugging the touchline; his 39.7 passes per 90 and exceptional interception rate suggest a player who dictates the tempo and disrupts opposition buildup with top-tier defensive intensity.
  • Mohamed Salah(83% match)A Inside Forward. Statistically, he stands out as naturally left-footed, an elite creator (2.1 key passes/90), a constant goal threat (2.8 shots/90), a regular goalscorer (0.31 goals/90) and a prolific assist provider (0.26 assists/90). However, he loses possession under pressure (2.0 dispossessed/90).
  • Sebastiano Esposito(84% match)A Forward. Statistically, he stands out as an elite creator (2.4 key passes/90), a reliable supplier (0.21 assists/90) and draws fouls effectively (2.1/90).

Transfer Intelligence

Federico Bernardeschi delivers 85% of the same playing style, at 30% lower cost (€3.5M vs €5.0M), with 0.58 goals per 90 at age 32. That's 538% of Paulo Dybala'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 →

P
Comparison Base
Paulo Dybala
AttackerArgentina€5.0M
Full profile →

Similar Players — Ranked by DNA Similarity

#1
F
Federico Bernardeschi
Bologna · Serie A
Italy32yContract 2027
G/900.58
A/900.00
Link-Up Forward
Last 5: → Stable
vs Dybala: +0.47 G/90
85% match
€3.5M
#2
M
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool · Premier League
Egypt33yContract 2027
G/900.31
A/900.26
Inside Forward
Last 5: ↑ Hot
vs Dybala: €25M more expensive · +0.20 G/90
83% match
€30.0M
#3
S
Sebastiano Esposito
Cagliari · Serie A
Italy23yContract 2026
G/900.07
A/900.21
Last 5: ↓ Dip
vs Dybala: 9y younger
84% match
€9.0M
#4
A
Artem Dovbyk
Roma · Serie A
Ukraine28yContract 2029
G/900.00
A/900.37
Clinical FinisherLink-Up Forward
84% match
€20.0M
#5
B
Boulaye Dia
Lazio · Serie A
Senegal29yContract 2026
G/900.00
A/900.15
Small Sample
83% match
€7.0M
#6
I
Isaac Romero
Sevilla · La Liga
Spain25yContract 2028
G/900.18
A/900.00
Last 5: ↓ Dip
83% match
€6.0M
#7
J
Jesús Rodríguez
Como · Serie A
Spain20yContract 2030
G/900.08
A/900.46
Dynamic ForwardDribbler
Last 5: ↓ Dip
83% match
€30.0M
#8
M
Mauro Icardi
Galatasaray · Super Lig
Argentina33yContract 2026
G/901.02
A/900.07
PoacherProlific
Last 5: → Stable
82% match
€6.0M
#9
C
Cengiz Ünder
Beşiktaş · Super Lig
Turkey28yContract 2026
G/900.40
A/900.24
Goal ScorerLink-Up Forward
Last 5: ↓ Dip
83% match
€7.0M
#10
D
Domenico Berardi
Sassuolo · Serie A
Italy31yContract 2027
G/900.20
A/900.20
Small Sample
Last 5: ↑ Hot
83% match
€7.5M
#11
A
Ademola Lookman
Atlético Madrid · Serie A
Nigeria28yContract 2027
G/900.15
A/900.00
Inside ForwardSmall Sample
Last 5: ↑ Hot
83% match
€35.0M
#12
F
Francisco Trincão
Sporting CP · Liga Portugal
Portugal26yContract 2027
G/900.23
A/900.36
Complete Forward
Last 5: → Stable
82% match
€35.0M

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 Paulo Dybala.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the best alternatives to Paulo Dybala?
The top alternatives to Paulo Dybala based on AI DNA playing style analysis include: Federico Bernardeschi, Mohamed Salah, Sebastiano Esposito, Artem Dovbyk, Boulaye Dia. 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 Paulo Dybala in 2026?
Players with a similar profile to Paulo Dybala in 2026 include Federico Bernardeschi (€3.5M), Mohamed Salah (€30.0M), Sebastiano Esposito (€9.0M). For a deeper DNA-level comparison including playing style, physical attributes, and tactical fit, ask Rising Transfers' AI directly.
What position does Paulo Dybala play and who plays similarly?
Paulo Dybala plays as a Attacker. Players with a comparable positional profile include Federico Bernardeschi (Italy, €3.5M); Mohamed Salah (Egypt, €30.0M); Sebastiano Esposito (Italy, €9.0M); Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine, €20.0M).
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.