Official: Manchester City sign Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens | OneFootball

Manchester City have finally confirmed their first signing of the January transfer window late yesterday. Centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov has joined Pep Guardiola’s side from Lens on a four-and-a-half-year deal. The signing was officially confirmed on mancity.com.

Speaking with mancity.com Abdukodir Khusanov is excited by the challenge of playing for Manchester City. He believes he is more than ready to play for Pep Guardiola’s side. Khusanov said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time. This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside them. And, of course, Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches ever, and I am so excited to learn from him and improve my game even more.”

What does Abdukodir Khusanov bring to the Manchester City squad?

At 20 years of age, Abdukodir Khusanov is a player who can contribute now for Manchester City and in the future. The hope is that now he has signed for Manchester City that he can step in and contribute straight away. Injuries have decimated City’s defensive stocks this season. Especially at centre-back. Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias and John Stones have all battled injuries this season. Their fitness issues have had a detrimental effect on City’s defence. The hope with Khusanov is that he can step in and play when required to alleviate the pressure on City’s experienced defenders. If he can do that he could prove to be a shrewd signing for the second half of this season.

Watching Khusanov play for Lens this season shows that he is a young defender full of promise. The Uzbekistan international thrives in the defensive side of the game. With his speed, power and athleticism Khusanov is a strong defender who uses his physical attributes to shine defensively. He is strong in a challenge and that has stood out in appearances for Lens this season. His physical attributes do appear ideally suited to life in the Premier League. There is also a calmness to Khusanov’s play which should see him quickly adapt to life at Manchester City and in the Premier League.

Abdukodir Khusanov is also adept on the ball without being a player who thrives in this aspect of the game. He has the tools to develop into a fine ball-playing centre-back. But during his time at Lens, he stuck to the basics when in possession, which suits his game. There is little doubt that under Pep Guardiola he will likely develop this side of his game. But for now, he is a centre-back who thrives defensively, although he tends to play it safe in possession. That is a fine template for the young defender to potentially develop into a typical Manchester City centre-back in time.

All told, Khusanov has all of the talent and obvious potential to prove to be a shrewd acquisition for Manchester City. He could also create history by being the first player from Uzbekistan to play in the Premier League when he does finally make his debut in the league.

Manchester City have finally confirmed their first signing of the January transfer window with their capture of Abdukodir Khusanov. The hope is that he can contribute now and eventually develop into a centre-back that can lead City’s defensive line for years to come.