Man City set to extend Khusanov’s rival — what does it mean for our Uzbek talent?

Manchester City’s management has decided to extend the contract of one of the team’s young stars — Nico O’Reilly. The 20-year-old English midfielder has taken his chance brilliantly, secured a place in the starting lineup, and earned the coaching staff’s full trust.

The turning point for Nico came in the FA Cup quarterfinal against Bournemouth on March 30. After Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov received a yellow card in the first half, head coach Pep Guardiola decided to replace him with O’Reilly in the second half. The young midfielder took full advantage of the opportunity — he provided two assists, and the “Cityzens” secured a crucial 2–1 win.

Following that game, O’Reilly’s solid performance led to Khusanov losing his starting position. Guardiola explained the Uzbek player's absence by saying that players like Nico are in great form.

Nico O’Reilly has played 17 matches this season for Manchester City in the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. He scored 5 goals and made 2 assists. This impressive productivity drew the attention of the club’s executives.

Therefore, Manchester City has decided to extend his current contract, which runs until summer 2028, by another two years — until 2030. Naturally, the young talent’s salary will also increase significantly.

Although O’Reilly is a natural midfielder, he has been playing very confidently on the left wing. Because of his good form, the coaching staff made changes in defense: Josko Gvardiol, who previously played on the left, was moved to the center-back role. As a result, Khusanov’s chances to return to the lineup have decreased further.

The situation has become even more difficult for Khusanov, as he hasn’t appeared on the field for over a month. How this will affect his future is still unknown. But one thing is clear — he must work extremely hard to get back into the starting lineup.

At Manchester City, competition has always been intense, and every player is expected to give their best. Khusanov must once again prove himself and win back the coach’s trust.

Now the “Cityzens” fans are waiting for the official signing of Nico O’Reilly’s new deal. This once again shows the club’s strong focus on youth development. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!