If you’d told a random football fan two years ago that a kid from Tashkent would be starting at center-back for Pep Guardiola in a Manchester derby, they probably would’ve laughed you out of the room. Yet, here we are in January 2026, and Abdukodir Khusanov current teams are the only thing people in Central Asia—and increasingly, Manchester—want to talk about. It’s been a wild ride. Honestly, seeing a 21-year-old from the Uzbek league transition to the high-stakes pressure of the Premier League this quickly is just... well, it’s rare.
You’ve likely seen the clips of him bodying strikers twice his size or that 93% pass accuracy he dropped against Brighton last week. He’s not just "filling a gap" anymore. With the recent injury crisis hitting the Etihad—losing Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol at the same time is basically a nightmare scenario—Khusanov has gone from a "prospect for the future" to the guy Pep relies on to keep the clean sheet intact.
The Manchester City Chapter: More Than Just a Backup
Right now, Khusanov is a Manchester City player through and through. He signed a deal back in January 2025 that keeps him at the club until 2029, and while the initial €40 million fee raised some eyebrows, nobody is complaining now. Pep Guardiola himself recently called him one of the "best-ever transfers" the club has made. High praise? Definitely. But when you look at how he’s handled the English game, it’s hard to argue.
His debut against Chelsea was, frankly, a disaster. A misplaced header, a goal conceded, a yellow card within minutes. Most youngsters would’ve crumbled. But Khusanov didn't. He’s got this weirdly calm vibe on the pitch, almost like he’s playing a Sunday league game instead of a Champions League fixture.
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Lately, he’s been a fixture in the starting XI. In the recent Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle, he played the full 90 minutes. He was a rock. Even with a few "unpolished" moments with the ball—something Pep mentioned he’s still working on—his raw defensive instinct is elite. He’s basically become the "guard of peace" for a backline that has looked a bit shaky lately.
Leading the White Wolves: Uzbekistan's Historic Rise
You can't talk about Khusanov without talking about the Uzbekistan national team. For the fans back home, he’s more than a defender; he’s a symbol of their golden generation. 2025 was a massive year for him on the international stage.
- World Cup Qualification: For the first time ever, Uzbekistan has qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Khusanov was the anchor of that defense during the qualifiers.
- A National Hero: He’s the first Uzbek to ever play in the Premier League. That's a huge deal. Every time he steps on the pitch for City, millions in Tashkent are watching.
- Youth Legacy: Don't forget he was a key part of the U-20 team that won the AFC Asian Cup. He’s been winning trophies since he was a teenager.
The national team—the White Wolves—has a huge summer ahead in 2026. Khusanov is expected to be the first name on the team sheet when they face the likes of Portugal and Colombia in the group stages. It's a heavy burden for a 21-year-old, but he seems to thrive on it.
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The Lens Connection: Where the European Dream Started
Before the bright lights of Manchester, there was RC Lens. If you're wondering how a kid from Belarus (where he played for Energetik-BGU) ended up at one of the world's biggest clubs, the answer is France. Lens took a gamble on him in 2023 for a measly €450k. Talk about a return on investment.
In Ligue 1, Khusanov learned the "dark arts" of defending. He was the first Uzbek to play in the French top flight and the youngest to ever feature in the Champions League. His performance against Arsenal for Lens was actually what put him on the radar of several English scouts. He showed he could handle the pace. He showed he wasn't afraid of the big names.
What’s Next? Transfer Rumors and the 2026 Outlook
Even though he’s starting for City, the January transfer window always brings drama. There’s been some chatter about Everton and Bournemouth looking for a loan deal. They want a physical presence at the back, and Khusanov fits the bill.
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However, City is being very cautious. With the injury list as long as it is, letting "Kodir" (as he likes to be called) leave mid-season seems like a massive risk. Pep wants him there. The fans want him there. He’s already been voted Player of the Month once this season after shutting down the likes of Son Heung-min and Mo Salah.
If you're following his career, keep an eye on the Manchester Derby scheduled for January 17th. It’s going to be his biggest test yet. If he can handle Old Trafford with the same composure he showed against Brighton, his spot in the starting lineup might become permanent even when the big names return from injury.
Practical Takeaways for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the development in possession: Pep wants him to be a ball-playing center-back. His passing is good (90%+ usually), but he needs to be more adventurous.
- National Pride: Expect Uzbekistan to be the "dark horse" of the 2026 World Cup purely because of their defensive organization led by Khusanov.
- Fantasy Assets: If you play FPL and he keeps his spot during this injury crisis, he's a cheap way into a City defense that is starting to find its feet again.
The rise of Abdukodir Khusanov isn't just a feel-good story for Uzbekistan; it’s a masterclass in scouting and rapid adaptation. From Tashkent to Manchester, the kid is proving he belongs at the very top.