Seriously struggling for the English title, Manchester City didn't lose just two points in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the 20th round of the Premier League - an even heavier loss for the team: two central defenders - Yoshko Guardiol and Ruben Dias - were sidelined due to injuries during the match.
Both players were substituted during the match, and they were replaced by Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake. Notably, Guardiol was substituted for Khusanov in the 51st minute. Later, during an in-depth medical examination of the Croatian defender, it was revealed that he had a fracture of the tibia of his right leg.
According to the club's statement, Yoshko Guardiol will undergo surgery this week. Additional investigations are also underway to determine the full recovery period. "Everyone at the club wishes Yoshko a speedy recovery, and Manchester City will regularly provide information about his rehabilitation process," the official statement said.
According to the latest information, Guardiol is likely to miss the rest of the season. Daily Mail journalist Jack Gogan reportedly confirmed similar information. This isn't just an injury for "City," it's a real problem: because Guardiol had recently become one of the defense center's supports in Josep Guardiola's system.
Experts and sources close to English football emphasize that Abdukodir Khusanov should fill Guardiol's main position in the remaining matches. This opinion was also supported by esteemedkompany.com. According to the analysis there, the 23-year-old Croatian defender's reliable play, positioning, and ability to control possession played a crucial role in City's mechanism. The departure of a player of this level will inevitably affect the results of the season.
Most regrettably, Manchester City has almost no time to "adapt" to this loss. A difficult match against Brighton awaits ahead. At such times, for Guardiola, every decision is a risk, every choice is a responsibility.
At this point, the door opens for Khusanov. Yoshko Guardiol's injury allows the Uzbek legionnaire to show himself more broadly, strengthen his position in the main squad, and support the team in difficult times. Now the most important thing is to turn this opportunity into a constant confidence, not into a "one-two-game episode."
For information, 21-year-old Abdukodir Khusanov has made a total of 10 appearances for Manchester City in the Premier League, the English League Cup, and the UEFA Champions League this season. A talented defender is distinguished by his ability to play confidently both on the right wing and in the center.
In short, this news is heavy for City, but every crisis in football is a new stage for someone. For Khusanov, now is the time to prove that "I am ready." And the fans are waiting for one thing: will he seize this opportunity - or will he miss it?
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