- Defender snapped up in winter window
- Endured tough start to life in England
- Has impressed everyone at the Etihad
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Premier League champions City spent big on prising the Uzbekistan international away from French side Lens during the winter transfer window. He endured a baptism of fire in English football, with a costly mistake made on debut against Chelsea.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The inexperienced 20-year-old has recovered well from there and put in assured performance as City collected a much-needed clean sheet and three-point haul away at Tottenham. Guardiola has been impressed by Khusanov’s early efforts at the Etihad Stadium.
WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID
The Catalan coach said of an unassuming addition to his squad: “What I like is that Khusanov’s already incredibly liked in the dressing room! To face Spurs, he travelled with no wash bag, no nothing. He arrived to play football and when you talk to him, he just laughs, all the time! But he’s a reliable player, so fast, so quick, with ball the quality of pass is extraordinary. He breaks lines, has ability to do it.
“Of course he has to improve, but he’s 20, so young. I’ve seen players with a lot of pace, he is one of them. People adore him; he’s silent, works, no complaints, so humble, and I’m pretty sure our fans will love him too. It’s not easy to overcome his first impact vs Chelsea, what happened. But he was so calm the days after, and the games he’s played recently have been really good.”
WHAT NEXT?
Khusanov was acquired by City with one eye on the future, as they begin an elaborate rebuild on the back of four successive title triumphs, and the expectation is that he will become a key part of Guardiola’s plans in the months and years to come.