Rumors surrounding Abdukodir Khusanov: Truth or just exaggeration?

Recently, various rumors have emerged around Uzbekistan national team and Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov. Amid his absence from the last five matches, English media have started reporting that the defender might leave the ranks of the Citizens. Here, we will delve into this issue in detail.

When Abdukodir Khusanov arrived at the March training camp of the Uzbekistan national team, Uzbek media warmly welcomed him. The reason is that his appearance in the English Premier League sparked considerable discussion, not only among Uzbek fans but also abroad. Thus, his arrival in Tashkent naturally caused resonance. Khusanov, who played for Uzbekistan in March matches against Kyrgyzstan and Iran, flew from Tehran back to Manchester, where everything began.

Specifically, upon arriving at the Manchester City training camp, Khusanov was included in the starting lineup against Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-final match. Unexpectedly, Pep Guardiola substituted him at the start of the second half for Nico O’Reilly. Just three minutes later, the English player who replaced Abdukodir assisted Erling Haaland's goal and became one of the match's standout players.

Later, Khusanov was excluded from the squad list for the Premier League's 30th-round match against Leicester. English media speculated that the head coach allowed the Uzbek footballer to rest, saving him for the upcoming Manchester derby.

Therefore, his absence in the match against Leicester did not cause much discussion among Uzbek media. However, Khusanov's absence in the Manchester United match raised concerns among his fans.

Following this, he remained on the bench during matches against Crystal Palace, Everton, and Aston Villa. Amid Abduqodir’s absence from the pitch and consecutive goals by his direct rival, Nico O’Reilly, Uzbek fans began to worry, linking Khusanov’s declining situation in Manchester to his frequent media appearances back in Uzbekistan, including even blogger Abdurahmon Fozilov frequently appearing around him.

On April 23, English media reported that Manchester City is ready to loan out the Uzbek footballer. The club management reportedly desires that Khusanov receives more playing time, temporarily loaning him to another club. But how accurate is this information? If we look at it from one angle, this decision seems reasonable. Given that the Uzbekistan national team has crucial matches ahead, prolonged bench time for a young and talented defender is not favorable. Such circumstances could seriously affect his future. Therefore, even if not at a powerhouse like Manchester City, moving to an average-level club and securing a permanent place in the starting lineup would be essential for both the player and the Uzbekistan national team.

^{Photo: "Daryo"/Asadbek Berdyorov}
However, another issue may arise, related to language. Currently, one of the biggest barriers for an Uzbek footballer is inadequate proficiency in English. If Khusanov moves to another English club, that’s fine since Pep Guardiola has repeatedly mentioned at press conferences that the defender is actively learning English.

But if he signs with a club in Spain's La Liga or Italy's Serie A, Abdukodir may face a familiar situation again—new surroundings, a new country, and inevitably a language problem. Thus, his potential transfer carries both positives and negatives.

On April 23, another report about Abdukodir Khusanov surfaced. It stated that Juventus, one of Italy’s strongest clubs, is showing interest in the Uzbek defender. According to these reports, both parties are currently negotiating. It was even suggested that the Manchester club management is considering exchanging Khusanov for Juventus player Andrea Cambiaso. After this news leaked to the media, Uzbek fans again expressed pessimistic views such as “Everything is over for Khusanov” or “Abdukodir was ruined by Abdurahmon Fozilov.”

Fans who closely follow football know very well the stature of Juventus and the caliber of players who have represented them. Thus, Khusanov's potential move to Turin should not be viewed negatively; on the contrary, it could represent significant career progress. Given that Italian football has long emphasized strong defensive tactics and Juventus remains among Serie A’s top teams regularly participating in the Champions League, this could indeed be a substantial advantage for the Uzbek player.

Amid these rumors, the Uzbekistan Football Association’s press secretary and renowned commentator Davron Fayziev spoke with Husanov’s family members to clarify the situation. According to Fayziev, there is no negative reason behind Khusanov’s exclusion from the lineup. On the contrary, Pep Guardiola regularly pays attention to him during training, gives tactical instructions, and still trusts him fully. Khusanov’s physical condition is also good, and there is no decline.

One of the main reasons is intense internal competition. Young defender O’Reilly, who has consistently registered goals and assists in recent matches, has secured his position on the left wing. Consequently, Guardiola shifted Joško Gvardiol to the center and Ruben Dias to central right defense. Following these tactical changes, the team achieved successive victories. In such situations, especially in the defensive line, coaches usually avoid making changes—currently, every point is crucial for City's Champions League qualification.

Abdukodir will still have opportunities, and trust remains intact. He himself is in a positive spirit, simply awaiting his chance. Pay attention only to reliable sources, says Fayziev.

In conclusion, it can be said that the rumors circulating around Khusanov are mostly based on speculation. The coach trusts him, his physical condition is good, and competition is a natural process. Giving him time, the right environment, and consistent match practice is important. As fans, we must continue to support him. Because he can still bring us joy many times in the future. For this reason, it is essential for us to support our footballer fully. After all, any trust expressed toward him naturally gives Khusanov additional strength.

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