45 | Abdukodir Khusanov - 2025/26

What I really hope about this guy is that, Pep after few games thought that he had found phenomenal player and decided not to waste him and his energy and hunger in the stupid battle for the top four

But this season when every point counts and we need hungry and “ready to die on the pitch” type of players to win the title race, Pep will release the beast :D
 
Pingu the Penguin said:
Ake was absolutely superb in the treble season. When for he is superb and 9/10 for effort in games. Real leadership
Click to expand...

In a sense, all Treble winners were superb. It was a great collective effort.

This doesn't mean there weren't different levels of performance. Haaland, KDB and Rodri were top 5 players in the world back then. Some thought Rodri deserved to win Ballon d'Or already in 2023. He didn't know what it was like to lose a game.

Ake was very good, but anyone suggesting he was Rodri level of good doesn't get football. Remember that Ake got injured vs Bayern and we had to win the PL and the tie vs Real without him. Pep just moved Akanji in Ake's position and we didn't miss him. Akanji was absolutely superb.
 
Mancini’s Pastilles said:
Im not impressed with him being shipped out on loan in favour of our perma crock has beens. January wouldnt be a shambles of we actually rated the players signed and were playing them. Pep however clearly feels they not ready or not fancied by him so it was a ridiculous unnecessary spend in January
Click to expand...
Who?
There is no evidence of Khusavov being loaned.
The words 'shipped-out', 'perma-crock' and 'has-beens' are really beyond reason. Perhaps had we not bought in January, we would not have them now. There was a high-level of demand for Khusanov, Reis, and Bah, at least according to links at the time on social media.
 
Last edited:
Tevez City said:
Gvardiol, Dias, Ake, Stones, Akanji

He is 6th choice CB now
Click to expand...
We don't know that, though. I think most fans would agree he should be 2nd or 3rd choice. Time will tell what Pep thinks. He probably speaks some English now, so it should help. We will know more after the first few matches. I don't even expect all the players from your list to still be here come September.
 
Tevez City said:
Gvardiol, Dias, Ake, Stones, Akanji

He is 6th choice CB now
Click to expand...
He might be but he shouldn't be.

A controversial statement, but Dias needs to get himself back to what he was 3 years ago, a huge drop off since the treble season imo, he has contributed to the wobbly defence as much as anybody else.

Ake has always been a decent cover at CB and LB, but never really been a first choice.

Stones is a Rolls-Royce and is probably the best defender we have, but can not stay fit for long enough, unfortunately.

Akanji was well off it last season and injured a lot and needs to return to form asap, was a great buy for 15m but his time may be at an end.

Gvardiol is ready to become the best CB we have, now that we have a proper LB/LWB.
 
I'm not sure what the problem is with having a high potential defender in the squad who might not be first choice yet but is being gradually integrated into the side while he learns from the best manager in the world and gets used to the UK and the premier league.

Bring on the start of the new season so we actually have something to talk about...
 
bobom said:
I'm not sure what the problem is with having a high potential defender in the squad who might not be first choice yet but is being gradually integrated into the side while he learns from the best manager in the world and gets used to the UK and the premier league.

Bring on the start of the new season so we actually have something to talk about...
Click to expand...
As long as he is indeed gradually integrated, there won’t be a problem.
 
alexmcity said:
In a sense, all Treble winners were superb. It was a great collective effort.

This doesn't mean there weren't different levels of performance. Haaland, KDB and Rodri were top 5 players in the world back then. Some thought Rodri deserved to win Ballon d'Or already in 2023. He didn't know what it was like to lose a game.

Ake was very good, but anyone suggesting he was Rodri level of good doesn't get football. Remember that Ake got injured vs Bayern and we had to win the PL and the tie vs Real without him. Pep just moved Akanji in Ake's position and we didn't miss him. Akanji was absolutely superb.
Click to expand...
Ake was the best player on the pitch against Arsenal in the cup, had Saka in his pocket and scored the winner. Moving him to a proper left back was the positional change that won us the game at the Emirates. Rodri level good seems unfair given he was the best player in the world that season, but Ake was much more than a spare part.
 
sir baconface said:
As long as he is indeed gradually integrated, there won’t be a problem.
Click to expand...
Khusanov's potential is unclear, likewise the future of Echeverri, Reis and Mcatee. We don't look well managed at the moment. The June transfer spree has created some problems imo. Cherki had better be a hard working player intent on knuckling down and playing for the team.
 
bobom said:
I'm not sure what the problem is with having a high potential defender in the squad who might not be first choice yet but is being gradually integrated into the side while he learns from the best manager in the world and gets used to the UK and the premier league.

Bring on the start of the new season so we actually have something to talk about...
Click to expand...
Because him and Gvardiol should be our 1st choice central partnership now. Injury records (Stones & Ake) and ability (Dias & Akanji) would suggest this was the logical path to go down.
 
Brightwell Bros. said:
Ake was the best player on the pitch against Arsenal in the cup, had Saka in his pocket and scored the winner. Moving him to a proper left back was the positional change that won us the game at the Emirates. Rodri level good seems unfair given he was the best player in the world that season, but Ake was much more than a spare part.
Click to expand...

The positional change that transformed the season was moving Stones in midfield when being in possession. Ake was used as a LB before that, including in previous seasons.

As I said, any of the Treble winners was superb. Grealish, for instance, saved our arse vs Liverpool, he was outstanding in that game. Akanji was outstanding at LB vs Arsenal at home and Real, two of our best performances this season, after being outstanding at RB vs Bayern.

Ake was a good and reliable cog in the machine, same as Grealish or Akanji. The real top performers were Rodri, Haaland and KDB, with Gundogan (incredible in the final 6-7 weeks), Stones and Bernardo behind them. Bernardo was MOTM in 3 of the 4 games vs Bayern and Real.

Ake was behind that group in terms of importance and performances. Voting him our 3rd best player, ahead of Rodri and other top performers, was very generous from some fans.
 
I think this kid is going to shut a lot of naysayers up this year. Versatile, lightening quick, aggressive. The past 8/9 month learning the language and bedding in will work wonders.

Also, I could be wrong and I'm sure it's been mentioned, he conveniently stopped being selected when another appearance last season would have triggered a significant payment add-on. I suspect he was thrown in, then taken out as part of his development strategy.
 
Eoiyflem said:
I think this kid is going to shut a lot of naysayers up this year. Versatile, lightening quick, aggressive. The past 8/9 month learning the language and bedding in will work wonders.

Also, I could be wrong and I'm sure it's been mentioned, he conveniently stopped being selected when another appearance last season would have triggered a significant payment add-on. I suspect he was thrown in, then taken out as part of his development strategy.
Click to expand...
He wont be shutting up any naysayers in a city shirt as he wont be in squad
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top