45 | Abdukodir Khusanov - 2025/26

[Ken92]

I reckon going flat out he may be the quickest out there.

He only looks in 3rd gear and he's still smoking quick players.

I did sprint at a decent club level, not saying I'm an expert but I have a good gauge of potential speed just on the eye test.

I think there's a few that might have slightly quicker acceleration over the first few yards. Not sure there's any that'd beat him once he gets moving, which is why his recovery runs when he has space to run into look insane.

I don't bother with stats, there's too many factors on a football pitch in clocking players top speed and make it mean anything.

He's even faster than he looks but he has such a relaxed running style. Where as someone like Walker, Traore etc were clearly putting 100% into their sprint and can look like they're going faster to the eye.

In my opinion, with my little bit of experience, I'd say he would beat prime Walker over 100m, but maybe not over the first 10 or so.

I'd back him to beat any player today over 100m actually, if he really pushed it.


But really, speed is nothing without the intelligence to use it. Luckily he has both.

It's better to be slow and be able to read the play than be quick and using it to bail yourself out because you didn't anticipate the play.

The fact he's smart with that insane speed is going to make him absolutely formidable when he's even more experienced.

Good overview ,yes ofcourse speed alone doesn´t do anything ,this is football not sprint. He seems to have all the ingredients to be a top top centre back and hopefully he only keeps improving going forward.

 

[alexmcity]

In hindsight, one of Pep's mistakes was overplaying Gvardiol and Dias due to not using Khusa enough after his injury at Arsenal.

Pep had good reasons, as our record with Dias/Gvardiol at CB and Nunes at RB was outstanding and he was unwilling to rest them to avoid dropping points. But it backfired in early January when both Gvardiol and Dias got injured.

Khusa has doubled his price in the last 3 months, and from our perspective and that of the club he is a 100m defender. Not for sale anyway.

 

[.db.]

Uzbekenbauer!

He’s starting to look like a player with the strength of Kompany, the pace of Walker and the calmness on the ball of Stones.

Dont want to sound to Lpool/Arsenal fan here but, by 27 years old, I think Kodir will be the best centre back in the world.

 

[Deepest Blue]

In hindsight, one of Pep's mistakes was overplaying Gvardiol and Dias due to not using Khusa enough after his injury at Arsenal.

Pep had good reasons, as our record with Dias/Gvardiol at CB and Nunes at RB was outstanding and he was unwilling to rest them to avoid dropping points. But it backfired in early January when both Gvardiol and Dias got injured.

Khusa has doubled his price in the last 3 months, and from our perspective and that of the club he is a 100m defender. Not for sale anyway.

Too bloody right.
We took a lot of stick for our buying in that window but not looking too bad now is it?
Hopefully we can keep Khusa happy and barring major injuries he'll leave a legend many years from now.

 

[br88]

Uzbekenbauer!

He’s starting to look like a player with the strength of Kompany, the pace of Walker and the calmness on the ball of Stones.

Dont want to sound to Lpool/Arsenal fan here but, by 27 years old, I think Kodir will be the best centre back in the world.

27???....he has only just turned 22. I think we can revise that to maybe 24 haha!!!.

 

[domalino]

The only thing he's missing is some adventurous passing, which will come.

I think a really underrated aspect that he's improved on a ton since January is dealing with aerial battles. He's small, so he's never going to be dominant in the air, but he's getting really good at making sure his man doesn't get anything on the ball with a bit of physical contact at the right moment. He was marking Van Dijk who's at least 5" taller than him yesterday and did great.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

He’s absolutely sensational. And he’s still so young and inexperienced. He can be the best in his position in the world, it’s up to him. Keep learning, keep working. Sky is the limit.

 

[Vincennes Blue]

I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive Pep for not having the courage to bench Dias against Real, play him in his place and leave Nunes at right-back.

Sometimes fate hinges on a single detail.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive Pep for not having the courage to bench Dias against Real, play him in his place and leave Nunes at right-back.

Sometimes fate hinges on a single detail.

Ever forgive Pep? Lol. Give over.

Didn't look like he was sulking to me during the game. He's too professional to worry about anything. He just got on with it doing what he does, simply and effectively. No fear in this lad.

 

[blue_danube]

Uzbekenbauer!

He’s starting to look like a player with the strength of Kompany, the pace of Walker and the calmness on the ball of Stones.

Dont want to sound to Lpool/Arsenal fan here but, by 27 years old, I think Kodir will be the best centre back in the world.

Agreed.

I've been saying if he and Cherki are not widely regarded as two of the best in the world in a few years, something has gone really wrong

 

[OntarioBlue]

I see a statue in his future. Phenomenal player already and so young. I’m looking to seeing him develop partnerships with Guehi, Gvardiol and Reis.

 

[mccity]

He's certainly impressed as of late. The sky's really the limit

It'd be interesting to see what happens with the CB pairing when Gvardiol returns

 

[hinchcliffes bulbous conk]

Pisses me off the way the commentators keep referencing his debut. The lad made a mistake and they can’t resist keep mentioning it. He’s been fucking immense for a long time now. Let it go and just acknowledge you were all wrong in implying he was shit!

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

He's certainly impressed as of late. The sky's really the limit

It'd be interesting to see what happens with the CB pairing when Gvardiol returns

I expect Gvardiol will play at left back a lot next season. Might even see him tried in midfield.

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Whoever scouted this fella needs a promotion absolute diamond pulled from the rough it's as if he's been created in some old Soviet laboratory trying to create the perfect defender.

 

[OB1]

I didn’t realise how good that block on Salad was until I got home and watched a recording of the game. Sensational.

 

[OntarioBlue]

Pisses me off the way the commentators keep referencing his debut. The lad made a mistake and they can’t resist keep mentioning it. He’s been fucking immense for a long time now. Let it go and just acknowledge you were all wrong in implying he was shit!

The way he’s playing now after that start just demonstrates his mental strength. It would have been so easy to fall apart after that but he actually played well after the mistake and has got better ever since.

 

[Dialog]

 

[BlueNomad]

How about throwing Wirtz off the field for daring to grab his shirt?!

;-)

Linesman almost gave him a clap!! Heehee!

 

[Ho Chi Man City]

My mate Paul who I sit with at the match and as I posted about suffered a severe stroke a couple of weeks ago rated Kush as our best centre back, he’d been singing his praises over the past season or so.

I’m visiting Paul in hospital tomorrow and hopefully he can understand we’re in the Cup semi finals, I’ll let him know Kush was absolutely brilliant yesterday, hopefully cheer him up.