Best Centre-Backs in the Eredivisie (Oct 2026)
248 players tracked across 29 clubs. Updated October 2026.
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Youri Baas
Ajax Amsterdam • 23 years old
€17.3M
€20.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €19.4M
74.0
Yarek Gasiorowski
PSV Eindhoven • 21 years old
€15.6M
€18.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €18.3M
72.1
Wouter Goes
AZ Alkmaar • 22 years old
€13.0M
€15.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €15.2M
70.1
Ryan Flamingo
PSV Eindhoven • 23 years old
€12.1M
€14.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €13.6M
69.5
Josip Sutalo
Ajax Amsterdam • 26 years old
€10.4M
€12.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €12.3M
67.6
Alexandre Penetra
AZ Alkmaar • 25 years old
€8.6M
€10.0M
+15.6%
62.2
Anel Ahmedhodzic
Feyenoord Rotterdam • 27 years old
€8.6M
€10.0M
+15.6%
61.3
Tsuyoshi Watanabe
Feyenoord Rotterdam • 29 years old
€10.6M
€10.0M
-5.4%
61.0
Ruud Nijstad
FC Twente Enschede • 18 years old
€8.6M
€10.0M
+15.6%
60.2
Ko Itakura
Ajax Amsterdam • 29 years old
€8.5M
€8.0M
-5.4%
58.2
Sign up free to see the full ranking of 248 cb players.
Sign up freeYouri Baas
Ajax Amsterdam · 23 years old
74.0
ASI
Current Value
€20.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€17.5M - €21.3M
Yarek Gasiorowski
PSV Eindhoven · 21 years old
72.1
ASI
Current Value
€18.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€16.2M - €20.4M
Wouter Goes
AZ Alkmaar · 22 years old
70.1
ASI
Current Value
€15.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€13.7M - €16.7M
Ryan Flamingo
PSV Eindhoven · 23 years old
69.5
ASI
Current Value
€14.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€12.2M - €14.9M
Josip Sutalo
Ajax Amsterdam · 26 years old
67.6
ASI
Current Value
€12.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€11.1M - €13.5M
Alexandre Penetra
AZ Alkmaar · 25 years old
62.2
ASI
Current Value
€10.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Anel Ahmedhodzic
Feyenoord Rotterdam · 27 years old
61.3
ASI
Current Value
€10.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Tsuyoshi Watanabe
Feyenoord Rotterdam · 29 years old
61.0
ASI
Current Value
€10.0M
% Change
-5.4%
1yr Forecast Range
Ruud Nijstad
FC Twente Enschede · 18 years old
60.2
ASI
Current Value
€10.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Ko Itakura
Ajax Amsterdam · 29 years old
58.2
ASI
Current Value
€8.0M
% Change
-5.4%
1yr Forecast Range
Sign up free to see the full ranking of 248 cb players.
Sign up freeMarket Overview: Eredivisie Centre-Backs (updated October 2026)
Our database tracks 248 Eredivisie Centre-Backs as of October 2026, representing 29 clubs with a combined market value of €304.0M. The average market value for Eredivisie Centre-Backs is €1.2M, with the average age at 29 years old.
The most valuable centre-back in the Eredivisie is Youri Baas, worth €20.0M and playing for Ajax Amsterdam at 23 years old. The top 5 Centre-Backs average €15.8M in market value, including Yarek Gasiorowski and Wouter Goes.
Age distribution shows the youngest tracked centre-back is Ruud Nijstad (18 years, FC Twente Enschede, €10.0M), while the oldest is Viktor Elm (40 years, AZ Alkmaar, €300K). Research shows Centre-Backs typically peak at age 28.
Our 1-year forecast model projects 56 Centre-Backs (23%) will increase in market value over the next 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Eredivisie market for Centre-Backs remains actively developing with emerging talent as of October 2026.
Explore Market Size by Position in Eredivisie
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Eredivisie Centre-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 29 clubs with €304.0M combined value.
Age Distribution: Eredivisie Centre-Backs
The Eredivisie CB market shows 5 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 30+ bracket (120 players, 48% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €117.1M, averaging €3.1M per player.
Top Centre-Backs by Age Bracket
U21 Years (10 players)
21-23 Years (38 players)
24-26 Years (41 players)
27-29 Years (39 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 25 Centre-Backs (10% of players) control €192.1M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with high (€15-30m) tier representing 1% of the Eredivisie CB pool.
High (€15-30M)
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: Eredivisie Centre-Backs
Among 29 Eredivisie clubs, Ajax Amsterdam leads with 7 Centre-Backs worth €50.9M (averaging €7.3M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 46% of tracked Centre-Backs.
Ajax Amsterdam (7 Centre-Backs)
PSV Eindhoven (12 Centre-Backs)
Feyenoord Rotterdam (8 Centre-Backs)
AZ Alkmaar (10 Centre-Backs)
Scout Tools
Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.
Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.
Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
FC Twente Enschede's Ruud Nijstad at 18 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 25.00×. That means Ruud Nijstad is valued 25.00× higher than the median player in the U21 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is AZ Alkmaar's Alexandre Penetra, who is 25 years old, with a 20.00× PPVE. Third is Youri Baas of Ajax Amsterdam, who is 23 years old with a 20.00× PPVE.
How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 25.00× means the player is worth 2400% more than typical players their age-making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ruud Nijstad FC Twente Enschede | 18 | U21 | €10.0M | €400K | 25.00x |
| #2 | Alexandre Penetra AZ Alkmaar | 25 | 24-26 | €10.0M | €500K | 20.00x |
| #3 | Youri Baas Ajax Amsterdam | 23 | 21-23 | €20.0M | €1.0M | 20.00x |
| #4 | Yarek Gasiorowski PSV Eindhoven | 21 | 21-23 | €18.0M | €1.0M | 18.00x |
| #5 | Dies Janse FC Groningen | 20 | U21 | €6.5M | €400K | 16.25x |
| #6 | Wouter Goes AZ Alkmaar | 22 | 21-23 | €15.0M | €1.0M | 15.00x |
| #7 | Ryan Flamingo PSV Eindhoven | 23 | 21-23 | €14.0M | €1.0M | 14.00x |
| #8 | Thomas Beelen Feyenoord Rotterdam | 25 | 24-26 | €5.0M | €500K | 10.00x |
| #9 | Aaron Bouwman Ajax Amsterdam | 19 | U21 | €3.5M | €400K | 8.75x |
| #10 | Ahmetcan Kaplan NEC Nijmegen | 23 | 21-23 | €7.0M | €1.0M | 7.00x |
| #11 | Mees Hilgers FC Twente Enschede | 25 | 24-26 | €3.0M | €500K | 6.00x |
| #12 | Matisse Didden FC Utrecht | 25 | 24-26 | €3.0M | €500K | 6.00x |
| #13 | Stav Lemkin FC Twente Enschede | 23 | 21-23 | €6.0M | €1.0M | 6.00x |
| #14 | Adamo Nagalo PSV Eindhoven | 24 | 24-26 | €2.8M | €500K | 5.60x |
| #15 | Marvin Young Sparta Rotterdam | 21 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €1.0M | 5.00x |
| #16 | Maas Willemsen SC Heerenveen | 23 | 21-23 | €4.5M | €1.0M | 4.50x |
| #17 | Thijmen Blokzijl FC Groningen | 21 | 21-23 | €4.0M | €1.0M | 4.00x |
| #18 | Neraysho Kasanwirjo Fortuna Sittardia Combinatie | 24 | 24-26 | €1.5M | €500K | 3.00x |
| #19 | Malcolm Jeng Feyenoord Rotterdam | 21 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €1.0M | 2.00x |
| #20 | Leo Greiml NAC Breda | 25 | 24-26 | €900K | €500K | 1.80x |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
Unlock Return-to-Peak analysis for Eredivisie Centre-Backs.
Upgrade to FanRisk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Unlock Risk-Adjusted Upside for Eredivisie Centre-Backs.
Upgrade to FanRoster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
Unlock Roster Pressure Index for Eredivisie Centre-Backs.
Upgrade to FanAge-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
Unlock Age-Share Concentration for Eredivisie Centre-Backs.
Upgrade to FanBuy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
Unlock the Buy Map for Eredivisie Centre-Backs.
Upgrade to FanPrice vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
Unlock Peer Z-Score analysis for Eredivisie Centre-Backs.
Upgrade to FanIf you were Eredivisie's sporting director, who would you sign?
Pick a club, select up to 3 players, and build your transfer proposal.
How We Rank Eredivisie Centre-Backs
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for centre-backs, using position-specific age curves and playing time benchmarks. The model draws from academic research on player valuation (Franck & Nüesch, 2012) and age-performance curves (Dendir, 2016).
Scoring Components for CB
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for Eredivisie centre-backs, reflecting proven track record and reputation. Uses log-scale to account for exponential value distribution at elite level.
Current Performance Proxy (30%)
Present market value for Eredivisie centre-backs, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Defenders with 2,500+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Defenders peak at 28 with 5.0%/year decline rate. Pre-peak players score higher on development trajectory.
Competition Level Adjustment (3%)
Eredivisie competition level factored into comparative strength assessment.
Performance Expectations Multiplier (2%)
Players at clubs with Champions League pedigree face higher performance standards and tactical complexity, contributing to development and market validation.
CB Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 28 years (balance of physicality and tactical intelligence)
Decline Rate: Widening steps, not a flat rate: about -5% at 29, -10% at 30, steeper from 31 (positioning offsets pace loss)
Optimal Minutes: 2,500 per season (regular starter with rotation management)
1-Year Market Value Forecast
Probabilistic model combining age-curve depreciation, value momentum, and playing time factors:
• Age Factor: Compounding and banded around a peak of 28: +25%/year through age 21, +15% at 22-23, +10% up to the year before peak, then -5%, -10% and steeper with each later band. Growth is damped above €30M.
• Value Trajectory: Near career peak (>95% of peak value): +3% momentum | Moderate decline: -5%
• Playing Time Factor: Regular starters (+2%), Squad rotation (-2%)
• Forecast Range: ±10% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for centre-backs
• Carmichael et al. (2011): Player depreciation in top leagues
• Franck & Nüesch (2012): Hedonic pricing models for talent valuation
• Szymanski, S. (2015). Money and Soccer: A Soccernomics Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Eredivisie Centre-Backs, updated October 2026
Who are the most valuable Centre-Backs in the Eredivisie right now?
The most valuable centre-back in the Eredivisie today is Youri Baas, who is worth €20.0M and plays for Ajax Amsterdam. The second most valuable is Yarek Gasiorowski (€18.0M, PSV Eindhoven), followed by Wouter Goes (€15.0M, AZ Alkmaar). Our database tracks 248 Eredivisie Centre-Backs with comprehensive market valuations updated in October 2026.
How are Eredivisie Centre-Backs ranked?
Eredivisie Centre-Backs are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Centre-Backs. The score combines six factors: Historical Achievement Index (35%) measuring peak career value, Current Performance Proxy (30%) reflecting recent market signals, Playing Time Utilization (18%) tracking minutes played, Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%) using position-specific peak ages, League Quality Coefficient (3%) for Eredivisie competition level, and Club Tier Multiplier (2%) accounting for club prestige. This methodology is grounded in academic research including work by Dendir (2016) on age-performance curves and Franck & Nüesch (2012) on hedonic pricing models.
What age do Centre-Backs peak?
Defenders typically peak at age 28. In our valuation model, value then falls in widening steps rather than at a flat annual rate: around -5% at 29, -10% at 30, and -25% or more from 31. Research shows defenders balance physical attributes with tactical intelligence, allowing them to maintain high performance through their late 20s. The optimal playing time for peak performance is around 2,500 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top centre-back from the Eredivisie?
Transfer fees for Eredivisie Centre-Backs vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked centre-back Youri Baas (market value: €20.0M), estimated transfer fees would range from €16.0M to €28.0M depending on contract situation. Players with longer contracts (3+ years) command premium fees (1.2-1.4× market value), while those in the final year may be available for 0.8-1.1× market value. Our fee estimates are derived from historical transfer patterns and contract-clock modifiers validated against actual Eredivisie transactions.
What is the value forecast for Eredivisie Centre-Backs?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for Eredivisie Centre-Backs based on age-curve depreciation, historical trajectory, and playing time adjustments. The forecast combines three factors: age-based appreciation/depreciation (pre-peak players compound gains toward their position's peak age, up to +25% a year through age 21 and easing as they approach it, while post-peak players fall in widening steps), market trajectory momentum (comparing current to peak value), and playing time confidence (regular starters receive +2% boost). Forecast confidence intervals account for position-specific volatility-defenders have ±10% volatility. Young players (under 22) and older players (over 32) receive 1.15× uncertainty multipliers due to unpredictable development or decline patterns.
Where does the Eredivisie centre-back data come from?
Our Eredivisie centre-back data is sourced from Football Analytics AI's proprietary Transfer Intelligence Database, which aggregates market valuations, player statistics, contract information, and transfer histories from multiple industry sources. Market values are updated regularly based on player performance, injuries, contract negotiations, and transfer market activity. We enhance this data with our proprietary analytics including position-specific scoring algorithms, age-performance curves calibrated to academic research, and statistical forecast models. All data is validated against official Eredivisie sources and updated monthly (last update October 2026) to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.
Want the full ranked shortlist for this position with xV projections, risk scores, and scouting notes?
Position Shortlist from €10,000 →Need a quick assessment on any player here? Get xV valuation, anti-failure screening, and comparables.
Micro-Report for €49 →