Hours after their side’s Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal, bleary-eyed Manchester City fans piled onto the Avanti West Coast train back from London Euston to Manchester – and there was one name on their lips. But it wasn’t homegrown match-winner Nico O’Reilly. “How good is [Abdukodir] Khusanov?!” piped up one. “He’s an absolute beast!” got here the response. It was clear the Metropolis trustworthy had a brand new cult hero.
The followers’ giddy pleasure in regards to the unassuming Uzbekistan worldwide able to bone-crunching tackles continued because the practice, which quickly started to resemble the final days of Rome, accelerated north. “The Uzbeks love him, he’s their Gareth Bale,” got here one other comment.
After which there was a second of appreciation for the individuals who had unearthed this gem from Lens and introduced him to Metropolis for £31 million in January 2025: “What a job from our scouts!”
These scouts can actually be pleased with the truth that Khusanov, who’s actually the perfect signing Metropolis made in January 2025 amid a £180m spending spree, may go down as probably the most shrewd offers made by Txiki Begiristain in his 13 years with the membership earlier than departing in 2025.
Khusanov had solely made 31 appearances for Lens when he made the transfer and even fewer when Metropolis started to identify his potential. His signing happened due to a collaboration throughout the Metropolis scouting community, as these in France have been instantly impressed once they noticed Khusanov in motion, believing him to be a younger participant with numerous potential and attributes that would take him a good distance
Described as being very aggressive however in a constructive approach, he left a giant impression on Metropolis’s complete scouting community, and an enormous effort was made to convey him in final January, simply as golf equipment together with Newcastle, Actual Madrid and Manchester United have been beginning to present curiosity.
Khusanov has all of the traits that English soccer followers love: Pace, aggression, energy and fervour. And when Metropolis have discovered themselves on the again foot in video games, there have been fewer extra thrilling sights than Khusanov chasing down his opponent and making a lunging problem to win the ball again.
Hitting like a practice
The Uzbek supplied one of many key moments early on within the remaining when he hared down on Kai Havertz and retrieved the ball, whereas Khusanov later supplied a crowd-pleasing second for Metropolis followers with the meatiest of challenges on Viktor Gyokeres.
The deal with on the Arsenal striker dropped at thoughts a quote from journalist Narzulla Saydullaev, who stated, “In Uzbekistan, they are saying that being hit by a practice or by Abdukodir is similar factor.”
In Metropolis’s earlier recreation in opposition to Actual Madrid, Khusanov gave Metropolis followers one thing to carry on to on an in any other case grim evening, showcasing his now-renowned restoration velocity by chasing down each Vinicius Jr and Brahim Diaz. He additionally performed a giant function in Metropolis’s unimaginable win at Liverpool in February, shutting down the dual threats of Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike earlier than being pressured off with concussion.
‘So quick’
Khusanov’s velocity is his biggest asset.
His restoration tempo makes him notably worthwhile to Guardiola, whose facet are enjoying with an more and more greater line of defense after hiring Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant, final summer time.
Guardiola has repeatedly stated Khusanov is “so quick”, however he has additionally emphasised the teen’s soccer intelligence: “Usually when a participant has physicality, it means he doesn’t have to make use of the top. He has each. That is why on the ball he’s getting higher and it at all times encourages me that he’ll enhance.”
Psychological resilience
One other attribute value declaring is Khusanov’s psychological resilience. He endured a harrowing begin to life at Metropolis, making a howler that led to a aim on his debut in opposition to Chelsea as he mistimed a headed problem with Nicolas Jackson after which naively stooped to nod the ball again in direction of goalkeeper Ederson, resulting in Jackson pouncing and establishing Noni Madueke to attain.
A minute later, Khusanov earned himself a yellow card earlier than then enjoying Cole Palmer onside, solely to assemble himself and make an incredible block to cease Jadon Sancho from scoring. Khusanov subsequently risked getting himself despatched off with one other careless problem, and Guardiola took preventative motion by hauling him off early within the second half.
He was given a rousing ovation by Metropolis followers, nevertheless it felt out of sympathy greater than anything.
Out of the highlight
It did not get any simpler for the teen as he was uncovered by Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius on his Champions League debut in opposition to Actual Madrid, with former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson claiming that Khusanov he ‘had been caught like a rabbit in headlights’. A month later, he scored an personal aim in a house draw with Brighton.
That was the final league recreation Khusanov would play within the 2024-25 season, and he wasn’t even named within the Metropolis squad for his or her remaining 4 matches. Thus, when Vitor Reis – who had arrived similtaneously him and for an virtually similar payment – was despatched out on mortgage to Girona in the summertime, it was tempting to wonder if Khusanov would additionally profit from a short lived spell elsewhere. However he put his outing of the highlight to good use, spending 4 hours per week studying English.
“He would not converse like William Shakespeare, however he is getting higher and higher,” Guardiola stated not too long ago. “He understands what we wish and each time he’s getting higher. He’s so clever. I feel he can enhance – he’s at all times open-minded. I’ve stated Manchester Metropolis have a participant and a central defender for a lot of, a few years.”
Khusanov may seem shy and of few phrases, however his actions, be it haring down on opponents or delivering full-throttle tackles, converse loudly. And individuals are sitting up and taking discover. The chattering Metropolis followers on the practice can anticipate many extra moments to savour from their very own baby-faced murderer.
