Sport
Is Abdukodir Khusanov developing quickly enough to be a starter for Manchester City?
Fit and available defenders are in short supply for Manchester City right now. Indeed, with Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol sidelined through injury for the foreseeable future and John Stones still struggling to find match fitness, Pep Guardiola has been forced to improvise to keep his team semi-functional at the back.
Marc Guehi’s arrival from Crystal Palace has eased the injury crisis, but City are still defensively vulnerable. This was certainly the case as Guardiola’s side surrendered a 2-0 lead away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, allowing two points to slip through their fingers when victory appeared all but guaranteed at half time.
Abdukodir Khusanov was part of the Manchester City backline that started away to Spurs and while the second half collapse was certainly not solely due to the Uzbekistan international, his performance raised questions about the rate of his development over the last 12 months.
Khusanov arrived in the 2025 January transfer window as Manchester City started a much-needed squad rebuild. The centre back had earned himself a reputation as one of the brightest young defenders in Ligue 1 and the €40m transfer fee City paid for him reflected his potential.
Everyone remembers Khusanov’s disasterclass of a debut. Indeed, the Uzbek made a blunder that cost Manchester City a goal only a few minutes into his first start and looked shaky in a 3-1 win over Chelsea before being substituted not long into the second half. It wasn’t the best first impression to make.
In truth, Khusanov has struggled to find his best form ever since that moment. For the most part, the 21-year-old has been a depth option, but Manchester City’s recent injury crisis has thrust him into the starting lineup. Khusanov might stay there until the end of the season depending on how quickly Dias returns.
Against Tottenham, Khusanov was pushed and pulled all over the pitch as the hosts showed more ambition in the second half. The Uzbek failed to track Dominic Solanke when the Spurs striker was able to make more of an impact in the Manchester City box and was physically out-fought by others.
It should be noted that Khusanov is having to forge an understanding with Guehi on the fly. Guehi has only been a Manchester City player for the last two weeks and so it’s not even like the pair have had time to get accustomed to each other in training. It’s clear Guehi and Khusanov aren’t on the same wavelength yet.
“He is a top signing,” said Guardiola in defence of Khusanov who has been at Manchester City for a year after joining from Lens in Ligue 1 in January 2025. “In the high level he played in France for five months before here so it’s not easy coming here, but I think he is a special player.
“He helps a lot because we play so high, and the positions in behind he handles it really well. He loves these kinds of actions. Step by step, we need him in the process on the ball, he will learn as he is so young. He is so coachable, he is always training good and gives 100%. I think he is faster and faster. He was a fast player and nothing changed, he is so reliable.”
Guardiola is entitled to defend his player, but Khusanov must use the next few months to accelerate his progress. If Manchester City signed him to be a first team figure, now is the time to show why he was on the radar of the Etihad Stadium club in the first place. Khusanov must prove he is more than just potential.
