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Feb 26, 2025
02:02

    The Times newspaper: Abdukodir Khusanov is an Uzbek defender who can become a star of Manchester City

    Sports 28 January 2025 2235

    The authoritative British newspaper The Times devoted an article to the talented Uzbek football player Abdukodir Khusanov, in the title of which it is emphasized that the Uzbek player is not inferior to Kyle Walker in speed.

    The authors of the article, Paul Hurst and Peter Ratzler, write that after Khusanov's transfer from France to Manchester City (the contract amount was 42 million pounds), the ranks of City fans will be replenished with new fans from Uzbekistan, and the club's fans will discover this "mysterious" country of Central Asia.

    Dilshod Ruzmetov, the representative of the Uzbek Football Association in Europe, reportedly stressed the importance of the transfer of Abdukodir Khusanov for Uzbek football. "This can be a great window to Europe for other Uzbek footballers, opening up new opportunities for them," he said.

    It is noted that Uzbekistan has long established itself as a developing football nation, especially among youth teams.

    "The under-23 team, in which Abdukodir Khusanov played, reached the final of the Asian Cup, which allowed it to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games. At the tournament, she drew with a strong opponent, Spain," the authors of the article write.

    It is emphasized that, despite Khusanov's fame in Uzbekistan and France, the 20-year-old defender has yet to make himself known in the UK. The newspaper also refers to Lance scout Baptiste Favier, who noted that Abdukodir became a real discovery for him after watching the matches of the Under-20 World Cup, in particular, the game between the national teams of Uzbekistan and Argentina, where he impressed with his strength and physical qualities.

    "Khusanov became the main player at Lance after Kevin Danso's injury, and the club's coaches highly appreciated his abilities. He was called a "fighting machine" by his teammates, and one of the coaches noted that Khusanov was one of the best players he had ever worked with," the newspaper writes.

    Kevin Danso, who also played for Lance, emphasized: "Kodir is a great player, and everyone saw it. I've known this since last season. If he had moved to one of the best clubs in Europe, his price would probably have been 100 million euros."

    It is reported that Abdukodir Khusanov also impressed one of the coaches of the Uzbek Olympic team, Orzumanbek Nurmukhamedov, who now heads the German club FC-TSG Königstein. "Abdukodir is a very modest young guy. That was my first impression when we met during the preparation for the Under-23 Asian Cup in Qatar in 2024. He always treated everyone with great respect, never interrupted, and easily made new friends. It is a pleasure to work with him," said Orzumanbek Nurmukhamedov.

    The article also says that joining Manchester City was an important step in Khusanov's career. Pep Guardiola noted his pace and versatility, his ability to play in multiple defensive positions. Manchester City already sees him as a promising player who can help the team in a difficult situation with injuries to the club's leading defenders.

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