Abdukodir Khusanov, who moved from the French "Lance" team to "Manchester City" a year ago, became an important figure for the "citizens" faster than expected. At that time, problems with the squad, defensive shortages, and the density of the table put the team in a difficult position, and the 21-year-old Uzbek defender showed himself, trying to fill that gap.
12 months have passed - history has been repeated: Guardiola's squad has shrunk, and the 21-year-old Uzbek legionnaire has once again become the "life-ring" of the big club.
Neil Lee, a journalist on Manchester City's official website, published an article citing Josep Guardiola's thoughts on Husanov. In it, the Spanish coach emphasizes how much the young central defender has grown in a short time.
Guardiola: "He's already proven himself to be a great transfer"
Pep Guardiola, first of all, noted that Husanov's acquisition was very successful for "City" and expressed confidence that he will reach a higher level in the future.
It is known that Abdukodir arrived in Manchester from "Lance" 12 months ago. From the very first days, he made a strong impression with his speed, physical fitness, determination, and great potential. But a new country, a new league, a new language - this is not a matter that can be resolved "in one night." Therefore, he needed both patience and hard work to achieve regular playing practice.
Injury Background - Door to Opportunity
Khusanov has recently been playing in the starting lineup in the last two matches after the departure of key central defenders Yoshko Guardiol and Ruben Dias due to long-term injuries. He was the focus of attention for both fans and experts in the 1-1 draw against Brighton in the Premier League and the resounding 10-1 victory over Exeter City in the FA Cup.
Guardiola didn't hide his satisfaction with how Abdukodir "matured" during this 12-month period.
"In the upper defensive line, he is very helpful to the team"
The most interesting thing about Pep's words is the opinions about Khusanov's compatibility with City's style.
- Khusanov is a high-level transfer. After playing at a high level in France, moving here wasn't easy for him, but I consider him a unique player. We play in a very high defensive line, and in the back zone, he is greatly supporting the team with his excellent movements. "I really like how he plays," said Guardiola.
The Spanish specialist also noted that Khusanov is gradually improving his skills with the ball. Because he is still young - therefore, "potential" here is not just a slogan, but real development.
Discipline, hard work and a 100 percent approach
Guardiola also praised Khusanov's character: his complete execution of instructions, diligent training, and complete dedication to his work - these are the key to securing a place in a demanding team like City.
- He precisely follows the coach's instructions and works 100 percent in training. I think it's becoming more and more reliable in its speed. He was quick before, and he's fast now - and of course, he's a reliable player," said Pep.
"If it's put up for transfer, dozens of top clubs will take it away"
Guardiola also gave another extremely harsh assessment: if Khusanov enters the transfer market, many leading European clubs might want to acquire him. The reason - he has qualities that are difficult to find: speed, "closing" back space, choosing the right position, long passes, quick decision-making.
At the same time, the coach noted that his English language has improved significantly, he understands information quickly, and is more freely integrated into the team environment.
- I always inspire him: "You're a stronger player than you think." Indeed, he is a very good player. His long passes are accurate, he can break through the opponent's defender well, and he passes the ball accurately and quickly. "Now he only needs a little courage - and that will come in time," said Guardiola.
Conclusion
For Husanov, this year was a "year of trials," but those trials didn't break him; on the contrary, they brought him closer to the big club standard. The most important thing is that he was ready when the opportunity arose.
Now the sweetest intrigue for fans is this: can Abdukodir not just be a temporary savior but strengthen this trust through regular games? One thing is clear from Pep's words: "City" has confidence in Khusanov - the rest will be written on the field.
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