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The attention surrounding Uzbekistan national team and Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov is growing. One of the influential sources, eurasia.football prepared a major analytical piece about the Uzbek player, putting forward interesting ideas about his playing style, potential, and what kind of defender he could become.
Comparing Abdukodir Khusanov to various famous defenders is becoming a natural occurrence. His football journey is not a typical scenario. The Uzbek center-back first reached Europe via Belarus, then proved himself at the French club Lens, and later moved to one of the strongest systems in world football — Manchester City. This alone has increased interest in him.
People are comparing Khusanov to others: is he the new Dias, the new Walker, a young Maldini, or a Puyol from Central Asia? However, such comparisons do not always point in the right direction. Abdukodir is not yet a complete copy of any of the great defenders. He has his own profile, characteristics, and development path.
At the same time, comparing him to famous players helps to better understand Khusanov's strengths. He possesses speed, aggression, the ability to cover large spaces, readiness to meet opponents high up the pitch, and the ability to cover the right flank in addition to the center-back position. These aspects show him not as a simple center-back, but as a universal defender suited to the demands of modern football.
Pep Guardiola himself compared Khusanov's physical potential and recovery speed to Kyle Walker in his prime. This is a very important sign. In Guardiola's system, a defender is not just a player who clears the ball, but a key link that maintains the balance of the entire team.
Kyle Walker does not mean turning Khusanov into a classic right-back. It is more about a similarity in duties. Walker was a player at Manchester City who covered the large gaps left behind a high defensive line, stopping the opponent's fast breaks. Khusanov can be useful in this exact direction. He has the potential to reach areas that many center-backs cannot.
Sports Mole also previously wrote that Khusanov could be tested in a "Walker-esque" role on the right side of the defense. That is, not as a classic fullback, but as a right-sided center-back in a back three during ball possession, using his speed to secure the flank. This is a crucial quality for a team like City that plays with high pressing and covers large areas.
Among historical comparisons, Lilian Thuram also looks interesting. The French legend was a strong, fast, disciplined, and universal defender. He could perform at a high level both in the center and on the right flank. Khusanov also has the qualities necessary for such a hybrid role. But one must be careful here: Thuram is an elite defender who has already earned his place in history, while Khusanov is a young player on the way to reaching that level.
Kolo Toure comparison seems even more practical. Toure in his prime was not just a center-back waiting in the penalty area. He was fast, had good reactions, was not afraid to move forward, and could cover for his partners. Khusanov has a similar football nature: he seems more suited to football that requires distance, space, duels, and quick decisions rather than sitting deep and defending.
William Gallas comparison is a logically strong option without excessive romanticism. Gallas could play in the center and on the flank, performed well against fast attackers, and was considered a very useful player for coaches. Khusanov could also become such a universal system defender in the future. He doesn't necessarily have to become the absolute leader of the penalty area immediately. First, it is important to become a reliable player capable of performing various tasks.
Paolo Maldini comparison requires great caution. In terms of style, Khusanov is not Maldini yet. From a young age, Maldini stood out for his reading of the game, positioning, calmness, and a culture of clean defending. Khusanov relies more on speed, power, aggression, and physical ability to rectify situations. However, Maldini is important here not as a style, but as a path: to become a great defender, one must transform physical strength into positional maturity.
Carles Puyol comparison is similar. Khusanov is not yet the emotional center of the team or the absolute leader of the defensive line. But Puyol can be a good reference point for him in terms of character. Especially after a difficult debut at Manchester City, the ability to recover, withstand pressure, and return stronger after a mistake is very important for a young defender.
It is known that Abdukodir's debut against Chelsea was not easy. An early mistake led to a goal, and he also received a yellow card. However, Guardiola defended him after the game, noting that the 20-year-old had barely trained with the team and did not speak English well. This means the coach sees the potential in Khusanov.
At this point, the most realistic and useful direction Manuel Akanji is seen in the example of. Akanji did not come to Manchester City as the most sensational defender. But he became a very necessary player in Guardiola's system. His strength is versatility, discipline, the ability to play in several positions, and not disrupting the team structure.
This may be the most correct path for Khusanov as well. He does not have to become a symbol of the level of Ruben Dias or John Stones immediately. First, he must become a universal defender whom the coach trusts, who is useful in various games, provides cover against fast opponents, and can cover the right area. This path can lead him to the true top level.
In short, calling Abdukodir Khusanov the next Maldini, Puyol, or Thuram would be premature. But his speed, physical strength, aggression, and versatility are making him a defender with a unique profile in big football. Most importantly, he is still in the process of formation. This means there is room for growth, learning from mistakes, and finding his place in a system like Manchester City. The biggest task for Khusanov is not to be a "new version" of someone, but to turn his own name into a separate brand.
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