Since his arrival at Manchester City in January, Abdukodir Khusanov has generated plenty of discussion, with fans and pundits alike scrutinizing his performances. The young defender, who joined from French side Lens, has had to adapt quickly to life in the Premier League, and former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has now weighed in on his progress.
Khusanov’s transition to English football has been anything but smooth, as he was thrown into the deep end almost immediately after signing. City boss Pep Guardiola has faced significant defensive injury woes this season, with key players such as Manuel Akanji, John Stones, and Nathan Ake all sidelined at various points. This situation has forced Guardiola to rely more heavily on the 21-year-old Uzbekistan international than initially planned.
After enduring a difficult debut against Chelsea, Khusanov has since shown remarkable resilience, gradually establishing himself within the squad. His continued involvement saw him make his ninth appearance for City in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final, a clear sign of the trust Guardiola has placed in him.
Ahead of the Bournemouth match, Roy Keane shared his perspective on Khusanov’s development, offering an assured prediction regarding the defender’s future. Keane, known for his no-nonsense analysis, acknowledged the challenges young players face when adapting to a new league, emphasizing that settling in takes time.
Speaking on ITV, Keane remarked: “Yeah, I think so (he’s settled down since his debut). I think it’s always tough for a player coming in. It’s been well documented—new country, trying to learn the language, getting used to partnerships around him.
“But I think he’ll be fine. Obviously, he’s had a tough start, but that’s the challenge he faces. I think we shouldn’t underestimate how difficult it is for a defender to develop an understanding with his teammates, especially with Rodri missing in front of him—he’s definitely been a big loss.
“But I think he’ll be fine. He’s a good player. It takes time to settle in, but he’s going to be a top player for Man City, no doubt about it.”
Khusanov’s performance against Bournemouth, where he played as the right-sided center-back alongside Matheus Nunes at right-back, was not his finest. He was substituted at halftime after receiving a somewhat controversial yellow card, a move that ultimately helped City turn the game around, with Nico O’Reilly stepping up in the second half. However, such off-days have been rare for Khusanov, who was named City’s Player of the Month for February, further solidifying his growing importance in the squad.
Guardiola himself has been highly impressed with Khusanov’s contributions, acknowledging the unexpected amount of game time the defender has received due to the club’s injury crisis. Speaking before the Bournemouth game, the City manager highlighted the qualities that make Khusanov special.
“It was not expected for him to play as many games, but the situation we have in the back-four all season made him play a lot,” Guardiola explained. “He has special qualities, that’s for sure. Really, really special ones. He’s so fast, brings his passion—even though sometimes his face and body language don’t show it, he has passion in many, many actions. And we are delighted. In a short time, without much training, he has helped us a lot.”
For a young defender, moving to a club of Manchester City’s stature in the middle of the season is never an easy task. It’s even more daunting when the team is enduring one of its most challenging campaigns in recent years, struggling to maintain the dominance they have become known for. Despite this, Khusanov has demonstrated that he has the mental fortitude and technical ability to thrive at the highest level.
Keane’s assessment of Khusanov aligns with what Guardiola and many City fans have observed—he is a player with immense potential. While his adaptation period has been intense, the experience will only serve him well for the future. As he continues to develop, there is a strong belief that he will cement himself as a key figure in City’s defense in the seasons to come.
