45 | Abdukodir Khusanov - 2025/26

[Dax777]

Our best defender. I am not saying on the ball, technically, no, but in the pure defensive sense. Critical for us. I hope it's not a serious injury. Arsenal always injures our best players...

No qualifiers needed. He is our best defender

 

[Wretched Vengeance]

I know they’re shit, but I still read them. I’m fairly certain Manchester Evening News wrote their ratings before the final goal and then just changed Joskos (he had the lowest there) rating. The rest of the defense and Donna were all written like we hadn’t conceded.

The MuEN is a rag's rag!

 

[Middedon]

The MuEN is a rag's rag!

I’m from overseas and when I first starting following City and wanted to read more I started looking at them - I didn’t know any better then! Old habits die hard.

 

[Wretched Vengeance]

I’m from overseas and when I first starting following City and wanted to read more I started looking at them - I didn’t know any better then! Old habits die hard.

That's fair enough. We have a few American fans. Great to have you.

 

[Skrastins]

hope the injury is nothing special and he will return fast

 

[Pelegrinni]

When this lad came off yesterday, I just felt that we were going to concede.

 

[TFC]

Any update on the injury? I'm not a religious man but I'll pray to the little baby jesus that this lad isn't out long ;)

 

[Akira]

Beast. Should be our main choice for right back.

Hope the injury isn't much. Didn't seem like he had much trouble before getting hooked off.

 

[domalino]

What was great here is that he stayed on his feet. 6 months ago he'd have ended that with a slide tackle and taken himself out of the game.

 

[denTTony]

very good yesterday, lets hope injury is nothing serious and he is back for Burnley

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

Praying he's OK already he's looking like he's ready made for the premiership top player.

 

[supercity88]

Beast of a performance, showing huge signs of improvement and his pace is such an asset for us. Just needs to continue to develop in that position and see if he can offer a bit more going forwards. Yesterday wasn't a game for that and he did what was needed. Hopefully a minor issue and he's back soon.

 

[blue61]

He reminds me of Des Walker, fast, great tackler. As he gets more confidence his passing is getting better

Once we finally get a quality RB he will be amazing as a CB.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

For now I'd like to see him continue as our RB with Nunes on right wing. When we decide to buy a proper RB I think Khusanov should be paired next to Gvardiol. Those two together will be solid for several years.

 

[Kippax Kidd]

It will really help make him a better CB by playing RB for the next year or so. A beast

 

[King Jay]

It will really help make him a better CB by playing RB for the next year or so. A beast

How exactly ?

 

[Platt Lane 59]

What was great here is that he stayed on his feet. 6 months ago he'd have ended that with a slide tackle and taken himself out of the game.

Yes, a great recovery.
Sums up The Arse though - their player collapses as soon as Khus comes alongside him...

 

[Kippax Kidd]

How exactly ?

He will become way more comfortable on the ball . And defending wide where most CBs struggle.

 

[Sam69]

What was great here is that he stayed on his feet. 6 months ago he'd have ended that with a slide tackle and taken himself out of the game.

I love his sliding tackles. He made one against Calafiori, and it was masterful.

I hope his injury isn't too serious. That bastard Gabriel stepped on his foot around the 15th minute, then he continued playing until halftime. I think it was too painful. He gritted his teeth for half an hour, but he couldn't do any more.

 

[domalino]

I love his sliding tackles. He made one against Calafiori, and it was masterful.

I hope his injury isn't too serious. That bastard Gabriel stepped on his foot around the 15th minute, then he continued playing until halftime. I think it was too painful. He gritted his teeth for half an hour, but he couldn't do any more.

His sliding tackels are very satsifying to watch, but there's a reason world class defenders don't go to ground much these day, it takes you out of the game, it's riskier and has less control. It's all or nothing defending.

That's why Walker was so good, he'd just catch up, push the player off the ball and pick it up and restart an attack like nothing had happened.

As Paolo Maldini said, "If I have to make a tackle I've already made a mistake". Khusanov will make fewer and fewer of them as he adapts to RB and playing for Pep more - but we'll still love a perfectly timed one when it's called for.