Abdukodir Khusanov is capitalizing on Manchester City's staff shortage and the wave of injuries at the defensive line, once again becoming a key figure in Pep Guardiola's team. The 21-year-old Uzbek footballer, who arrived in Manchester a year ago, went through various stages at the club: bright games, unlucky days, periods of being on the bench. However, in recent weeks, he has embarked on the path of becoming a true support for the Citizens' defense.
The injuries of key central defenders such as Yoshko Guardiol, John Stones, and Ruben Dias dramatically increased Khusanov's importance. Guardiola brought him back from the right-back to his original position - the center. In the first round, Max Alleyn, who was sent back from a loan at Watford, played alongside Abdukodir.
However, in a short period of time, it became clear that it wasn't easy for the 20-year-old to fully adapt to the pace of the Premier League. For this reason, City quickly added Mark Gehry, considered one of the strongest central defenders in the league.
Main news
In the 23rd round of the English Premier League, "Manchester City" defeated league outsider "Wolverhampton" with a score of 2:0, and this was the main news: Mark Guehi formed a new tandem in the center with Khusanov in his debut match. Gexi proved with his confident moves that the new environment wouldn't require much time, while Khusanov, in turn, took the lead in determining the tempo and discipline in defense.
Main fortress
The match against Wolverhampton Wanderers was Abdukodir's seventh consecutive game in the main squad of Manchester City. Despite his age, he appears to be demonstrating stability and confidence in central defense. In recent matches, he has made it a habit to regularly receive high ratings from experts and analysts.
Khusanov's accurate passes at various distances, his ability to "read" the game, his ability to correctly organize the defense line, and his ability to anticipate dangerous situations make him a valuable detail for the "citizens." Mark Gehry's debut did not distract public attention from Abdukodir: on the contrary, the new duo has already begun to be mentioned by experts as a "new super-tandem" of central defense.
Most importantly, the Khusanov-Gekhi partnership allowed City to move calmly on the pitch, maintain possession, and reliably maintain the back line in attack. This factor is said to have played a significant role in the victory over Wolverhampton.
Recognition
Khusanov played the game relatively calmly this time as well: he made safe, simple, and clear decisions with the ball. Experts from Cityxtra.co.uk also highlighted his ability to build defense and accelerate the game with long passes. Such assessments are not without reason - the biggest plus for a central defender is a "silent" useful job: he may not be visible, but he keeps the team's game going.
Information
Abdukodir Khusanov is 21 years old. His value in the transfer market is estimated at €35 million. By this indicator, he is mentioned as the most expensive player in Central Asia, one of the most expensive defenders in all of Asia. The Uzbek footballer's contract with Manchester City runs until June 30, 2029.
The conclusion is simple: Khusanov, who has gained Guardiola's trust, is becoming a stable support for City's central defense. Now, along with Mark Guehi, Manchester United is taking on a stronger form in central defense. This can serve to stabilize the results for the rest of the season.
Currently, Abdukodir Khusanov continues to prepare with his teammates for the decisive match against the Turkish "Galatasaray" team on January 28 in the final - eighth round of the general stage of the UEFA Champions League. If Khusanov remains one of the most reliable points in City's back line even in these games, it's no longer a coincidence - it's a trend.
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