Manchester City have found the defender they so desperately needed
Manchester City signed four players in the January transfer window. One of those was centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov. The Uzbekistan international has impressed since his eventful debut for the club against Chelsea. From that moment onwards Khusanov has shown that he has added the attributes that Manchester City's defence so desperately needed. He displayed those once again last night during City's 1-nil win over Tottenham. He was once again solid at the back as he helped his team pick up a clean sheet and three vital points in the race to secure Champions League football for next season.
We had seen before Khusanov's arrival that Manchester City needed a centre-back with pace to add to their defence. Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and John Stones have all battled injuries this season. In their fitness battles, Pep Guardiola's side has lacked a proper no-nonsense defender who can defend well when running back towards his own goal. That is a necessary attribute for City's defenders given the high defensive line Pep Guardiola employs. Khusanov has added this and Manchester City are better for it. It's no coincidence that City have kept two clean sheets in their past three Premier League games with Khusanov in the lineup.
Abdukodir Khusanov adds pace, strength, defensive acumen and a no-nonsense attitude to Manchester City's defence. Even in possession, he keeps it simple. Although he is beginning to add to his repertoire when on the ball. But Khusanov is a defender first and foremost and that is all he needs to be for now. He was defensively solid last night against Ange Postecoglou's side. He stood up in the second half when his team needed him to at the back. Khusanov wasn't perfect but he played an important role in City's vital win.
Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Abdukodir Khusanov and the start he has made at Manchester City following his team's win last night. The City manager believes that Khusanov will become a player that City fans will love. He explained post-game: 'So fast, so quick, quality with passes is extraordinary. He breaks the lines. He has the ability to do it. He has to improve but he's 20.'
'I've seen players with a lot of pace but he is one of them.'
'People adore him. He is silent, no complaints and so humble and I'm sure our fans will love him. '
'It's not easy to overcome after what happened after five minutes against Chelsea but he was calm and he handled it.'
'The games he's played recently, he's been really, really good.'
Abdukodir Khusanov has added the attributes to Manchester City's defence that they so desperately needed. That is a huge credit to Khusanov and his performances so far for Manchester City. As Pep Guardiola said City fans will love the young centre-back. But it's clear that they do already and that love will only grow as Khusanov develops as a player.
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