Shatskikh: If Khusanov moves to Barcelona, it's not a punishment, it's a reward!

In the Uzbekistan Super League, the head coach of "Andijon", Maksim Shatskikh, gave an interview to sports24, where he shared his thoughts on two star players of the national team — Abdukodir Khusanov and Eldor Shomurodov. Through this, he not only shared his impressions but also expressed his opinion on some serious matters.

The status of Abdukodir Khusanov at "Manchester City" has become one of the most discussed topics in recent months. The young Uzbek defender, who joined the team with great expectations, last appeared on the field in March and since then has remained out of the main squad of the "Citizens". This has sparked rumors about his possible loan. In particular, Spanish and British media have reported that Khusanov might move to "Barcelona".

Shatskikh commented on this issue as follows:

— There’s nothing to worry about here. Abdukodir is still young, at the beginning of his career. "Manchester City" will loan him to top clubs. If that club is "Barça", it’s not a punishment — it’s a reward, — he said with a smile.

He also drew attention to the problems in "Barcelona’s" defense:

— There are defenders like Ronald Araújo, but they constantly make serious mistakes. From this point of view, the opportunity given to Khusanov will only be beneficial.

Shatskikh also spoke about the differences between the Spanish and English championships:

— The playing style in Spain is philosophical, technically rich, and the main goal is to deliver the ball to the forward line. Forwards do their job. In England, the physical load is higher, and each match demands maximum effort. Personally, I have no worries about Khusanov’s future, — said the experienced specialist.

One of the final questions was about Eldor Shomurodov. Making fans happy with his performances at Italian club "Roma", Shomurodov was again named the team’s best player in April. Claudio Ranieri has recently been playing him in tandem with Artem Dovbyk.

— Eldor is a player who comes off the bench and scores many goals. Then why not give him a chance to play in the main squad alongside Dovbyk? Everything needs to be tested in practice. You only see the result after testing, — Shatskikh commented.

From his words, it can be concluded that not only do Uzbek footballers have a bright future, but supporting them in the right direction is also a crucial factor. Shatskikh’s confidence — especially in Khusanov and Shomurodov — clearly serves as a source of motivation not only for fans but for all layers of the football environment.