Hugo Viana tips Man City’s Abdukodir Khusanov to become one of the best centre-backs in world football | OneFootball

Hugo Viana has backed Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov to become one of the best centre-backs in the world.

Khusanov has become an important figure for Manchester City since arriving from Lens in the 2025 January transfer window.

The 22-year-old has made 52 first-team appearances and has made history on the international stage, after helping Uzbekistan to FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time in 2026.

Khusanov has handled the move to thePremier League with ease, where his pace and power has made him a formidable opponent for opposition forwards.

Viana said the Cityzens knew the talent they were signing in Khusanov, but has been surprised by the speed of his adaptation to English football.

He said Khusanov has all the ingredients to keep improving and become one of the very best in the world.

Manchester City’s Khusanov backed by Hugo Viana to reach elite status

“We all knew when we brought him, we all knew about his physicality – his physical attributes,” the City Director of Football toldmancity.com.

“But we all believed that he could be a really important player. Not so soon, because he was young and had only been playing in France for a short time.

“We’ve been really happy with him. He’s still developing, still has to learn and we feel sure he can be one of the best centre backs in the world.”