45 | Abdukodir Khusanov - 2025/26

He’ll probably start his first game of the season in October, at right back, and will have a below par game as he hasn’t played for months and is playing out of position. Then that will be justification for Pep that he isn’t good enough!
Sadly, this is absolutely bang on.
 
That's not the same as saying "he's shit" though, is it? He's a 21 year old, playing in a foreign country (presumably, he hasn't mastered the intricacies of the English language yet). If you're expecting a hybrid of prime Beckenbauer/Maldini at this stage of his career, you're going to be disappointed. As has already been pointed out, when he did get a run in the team, he got the player of the month award. I'm not sure what more can be expected of him at this stage. If he doesn't get games, how are we going to know how he'll turn out to be?

Not having a go at you personally, by the way (there's more than you who think he's not good enough for us; your initial opinion was a bit blunt and, for me, unfair).
Sure, but I don't think it's that unfair to say that he's shit at our level (though still a decent enough PL footballer). Perhaps my reply lacked nuance, though, and I do think he has potential.
 
I'm a bit disappointed we didn't see more of him. With his speed it seems obvious that he should be playing on the right to help us defend transitions. The club world cup was arguably the perfect tournament to give him time ahead of the new season. Really surprised Pep went back to Akanji.
Are you that surprised though? He always picks the experienced players in the end
 
He’ll probably start his first game of the season in October, at right back, and will have a below par game as he hasn’t played for months and is playing out of position. Then that will be justification for Pep that he isn’t good enough!
If anything like last year, then the first League Cup game will likely be towards the end of September.
 
Sure, but I don't think it's that unfair to say that he's shit at our level (though still a decent enough PL footballer). Perhaps my reply lacked nuance, though, and I do think he has potential.
Akanji and Dias have been shite at our level for some time now mate, he has no problem playing them for reasons that are obvious by now.
 
I'm a bit disappointed we didn't see more of him. With his speed it seems obvious that he should be playing on the right to help us defend transitions. The club world cup was arguably the perfect tournament to give him time ahead of the new season. Really surprised Pep went back to Akanji.

Surprised? Why are you surprised?

He ha barely played for months. Pep just doesn't fancy him at all. Same goes for Nico G. Perfect time to play him and bed him in and he goes and picks 34 year old Gundo ahead of him.
 
Because he's shit? He looked terrible in a few of the games he played last season. He'll get a few games in the Carabao but that might be his lot for next season, unless we have another injury crisis.
He played 6 times last season. One was about a day after he got off the plane, he had a dodgy 10 minutes, probably due to a combination or nerves, language and a defence that was in bits before he arrived and he improved in the game after that.

He had a poor start out of position against Madrid but got to grips with Vinicius and defended well from that point.

Can't think of anything else he did wrong, despite not being able to be brought into a settled defence which is what you'd want for any new defender, especially a young one.

If he is 'shit' and we've realised that after just 6 games, who can we sack for the £40m we've just thrown away?
 
Akanji and Dias have been shite at our level for some time now mate, he has no problem playing them for reasons that are obvious by now.
The reason being them being part of the best English football team ever?
 
The reason being them being part of the best English football team ever?
That was two years ago now. A long time in sport.

If we can't agree their levels of performance in 24/25 are much lower than their levels of performance in 22/23, then there's no point having this discussion. Past glory shouldn't cement you a spot in the lineup in the future.
 
That was two years ago now. A long time in sport.

If we can't agree their levels of performance in 24/25 are much lower than their levels of performance in 22/23, then there's no point having this discussion. Past glory shouldn't cement you a spot in the lineup in the future.
100%. You can't live on past reputation, you have to move with the times.
 
I wouldn’t quite go that far but I’d have him ahead of Dias as our right-sided centre back at the moment.

I find the lack of playing time for both Khusanov and Gonzalez rather strange. I wonder if Pep actually rates them, particularly the latter.
Both should be starting regularly
 
Sure, but I don't think it's that unfair to say that he's shit at our level (though still a decent enough PL footballer). Perhaps my reply lacked nuance, though, and I do think he has potential.
a fit stones and ake walk into the team . Problem is they are never fit . On form over a season I would take a khusanov over Akanji and Dias and accept the odd mistake
 
As bad as Dias is currently performing Khusanov isn't as good as Father Ruben's peak. Plenty of development ahead of Khusanov.
 
I watched the game last night and was shocked to hear the commentary team talk about our starting line up being "more or less Pep's starting 11 for the Premier League". I bloody hope not, Khusanov, from what I've seen of him for us, and his national team (I can't spell Uzbekistan) should be starting in front of Nunes, Akanji, and Dias. His speed, power and willingness to put a tackle in should guarantee him a place at the heart of the defence. Yes, he'll probably make the odd mistake, but I give you Ederson who's propensity to put a DM or CB under pressure with a shit pass when surrounded or even cut out the middle man and pass it straight to the opposition is becoming far too regular.. Give the lad a run in the team and Akanji will put in a transfer request....
 
I think he has even fallen below Reis in Pep’s eyes. Will probably be out on loan by the end of the summer.
 

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