Pep Guardiola heaps praise on €40m signing | OneFootball

Catalan coach Pep Guardiola lauds Abdukodir Khusanov

Pep Guardiola heaps praise on €40m signing

Arriving at Manchester City in the winter transfer window for €40 million from RC Lens, Abdukodir Khusanov wasted no time making his mark with the Cityzens. At just 21 years old, the Uzbek international has already started four out of five matches this season, including one appearance in the Champions League. Versatile and able to play both at centre-back and right-back, he has quickly won over Pep Guardiola, who hasn’t hesitated to praise his qualities. “He can play in every position in defence except left-back. His vision of the game is incredible. He’s strong, steady, and incredibly focused. He’s an amazing signing, one of the best we’ve made in years,” declared the Spanish manager.

These comments perfectly sum up Khusanov’s rapid integration into a notoriously demanding squad. Brought in to inject new energy and prepare for the future, the player has immediately fit right in, displaying composure and maturity against top-level opponents.

Beyond his immediate performances, Guardiola sees Khusanov as a key long-term asset. “He has incredible focus and he wants to learn. This guy is going to have a career at this club for many years to come,” he insisted. Compared to Kyle Walker “at his peak” for his physical impact and defensive solidity, Khusanov already enjoys rare trust from his manager.

In a club where competition is fierce and every detail matters, the former Lens player has carved out a valuable spot for himself and embodies Manchester City’s visionary recruitment policy. With youth, versatility, and potential, Abdukodir Khusanov already represents the future of a defence that Guardiola wants to make ever more modern and unpredictable.