⬡ AI DNA · Live season

Botev Plovdiv· 2025/2026 · First League · PARTIAL

Best Alternatives to Samuel Kalu

AttackerNigeria28y€3.0MFull profile →

Complete ForwardDribbler

0.14G/90

0.14A/90

Based on 1,285 min · 2025/2026 · First League · PARTIAL

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

Note: Top DNA style matches can come from lower leagues. We also surface First League peers ranked by market value and league tier — scroll the full list below.

DNA matchDNA style match · see league & value below

Top 3 alternatives to Samuel Kalu

Mateo Joseph84% match
Mallorca · La Liga · €3.5M
Mama Baldé84% match
Brest · Ligue 1 · €3.5M

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Playing Style Analysis

Complete ForwardDribbler

A Complete Forward. Statistically, he stands out as a capable chance creator (1.2 key passes/90), a constant goal threat (2.5 shots/90) and a dynamic dribbler (4.1/90). The three closest DNA matches to Samuel Kalu:

Mateo Joseph(84% match) — A Forward. Statistically, he stands out as a reliable supplier (0.16 assists/90).
Mama Baldé(84% match) — A Target Man. Statistically, he stands out as a constant goal threat (3.9 shots/90), a regular goalscorer (0.25 goals/90) and a prolific assist provider (0.25 assists/90).
Karl Etta Eyong(83% match) — A Target Man. Statistically, he stands out as a constant goal threat (2.7 shots/90) and a regular goalscorer (0.38 goals/90).

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

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Similar Players — Ranked by DNA Similarity

Mateo Joseph

Mallorca · La Liga

England22yContract 2026

vs Kalu: 6y younger

Compare Kalu vs Joseph →

Ask about replacements for Kalu

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the best alternatives to Samuel Kalu?▼

The top alternatives to Samuel Kalu based on AI DNA playing style analysis include: Mateo Joseph, Mama Baldé, Karl Etta Eyong, Jeff Ekhator, Mathias Pereira Lage. 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 Samuel Kalu in 2026?▼

Players with a similar profile to Samuel Kalu in 2026 include Mateo Joseph (€3.5M), Mama Baldé (€3.5M), Karl Etta Eyong (€3.0M). For a deeper DNA-level comparison including playing style, physical attributes, and tactical fit, ask Rising Transfers' AI directly.

What position does Samuel Kalu play and who plays similarly?▼

Samuel Kalu plays as a Attacker. Players with a comparable positional profile include Mateo Joseph (England, €3.5M); Mama Baldé (Guinea-Bissau, €3.5M); Karl Etta Eyong (Cameroon, €3.0M); Jeff Ekhator (Nigeria, €7.0M).

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.

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