The scout from Lens who attended the Under-20 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan in March 2023 had a clear objective: to evaluate the talent of 19-year-old Uzbekistan centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov. Lens’ recruitment team had already pinpointed Khusanov as a key player to watch, thanks to his impressive performances in the Belarus top league with Energetik-BGU Minsk. They believed he was one of the brightest defensive prospects of his age group and needed to observe him in action firsthand.
Promising Talent
Lens didn’t have to wait long for a response after witnessing his exceptional performance at the tournament, which was ultimately won by the host nation. A standout player, he drew Lens’ attention as they aimed to secure him before the Under-20 FIFA World Cup in two months, where scouts from larger clubs would be present.
A Record-Breaking Transfer
In July, Lens successfully landed their target, completing a transfer for just €100,000—this marked the highest fee Energetik-BGU had ever received. The club’s strategy involved allowing him time to adapt to Ligue 1 and gain experience in the Champions League while developing his skills with the goal of a significant future profit.
Rapid Development and Challenges
The club devised a three-year plan to transform Khusanov into one of the top centre-backs in France, but he achieved this in just 18 months. Known as “Kodiri” by his teammates, he faced some challenges, including a red card against Paris Saint-Germain and a history of discipline issues with multiple yellow cards. However, he has shown improvement this season, demonstrating a more focused approach.
A Crucial January Move
After missing out on €40 million last summer due to failed transfers of Kevin Danso and Neil El Aynaoui, Lens recognized the need to generate funds in January. While they ideally wanted to keep Khusanov for another 18 months, the urgency to finalize a deal became clear. Ultimately, they agreed on a transfer for €48 million, which included performance-related add-ons. Renowned agent Jorge Mendes facilitated the transaction, allowing Manchester City to swiftly enhance their struggling defense. For Khusanov, who previously earned €35,000 per week, this move to the Premier League is transformative, marking him as the first Uzbek player in the league.
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Position
The 18-time international from Uzbekistan has mainly played as a center-back or on the left side of the back three for Lens. While he has occasionally been part of a two-man defensive pairing, it’s clear that being alongside more experienced center-backs like Danso, Jonathan Gradit, or Facundo Medina has positively influenced his growth as a player. With fewer spaces to cover in a back three, he feels more supported and can prioritize his main duty of defending, allowing those who are more skilled at building play to manage the transition from defense.
Strengths
For those unfamiliar with Khusanov’s approach on the field, watching his initial warmup provides valuable insight into his game. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch, he has a solid, muscular build with strong legs and broad shoulders, making him well-suited for defensive play. His remarkable average of 2.35 interceptions per 90 minutes places him in the top 1% of centre-backs in Ligue 1, highlighting his proactive style where he seeks to eliminate threats at the earliest chance.
Khusanov is also impressively fast. His acute ability to read the game and his physical defending style suggest he should adapt well to the fast-paced nature of the Premier League. However, his eagerness to compete can sometimes backfire, as his aggressive tackling—successful 73% of the time—leaves little room for error, occasionally leading to unnecessary fouls.
When compared to his peers under 20, Khusanov’s skills as a one-on-one defender are particularly noteworthy. He is exceptionally determined and versatile in his defensive tactics, using his body, head, or any means necessary to block opponents—an attribute that is becoming increasingly rare among young defenders.
How can he improve
The most evident area where improvements are needed is Khusanov’s on-the-ball composure and distribution. Although Lens is one of the most possession-heavy teams in Ligue 1, averaging 54% possession per game, Khusanov typically leaves the high-risk passing to his defensive teammates. Instead, he often opts to pass to his wing-back, who generally receives the ball with more space and less pressure out wide.
While a similar division of responsibilities is likely to occur at Manchester City, it will be interesting to see how quickly he can enhance his distribution skills to confidently contribute to a team that emphasizes building from the back.
Khusanov is not a liability with the ball—his long passes are improving—but since Pep Guardiola tends to favor “possession experts” as center-backs, the addition of a less-polished defender could represent uncharted territory. However, it’s worth noting that Ruben Dias had a similar profile when he arrived. No one expected Guardiola to sign an out-and-out center-forward to fit his system, yet Erling Haaland has adapted very well.
Quotes
Lens manager Will Still told Yahoo Sports, “He’s calm, powerful, and fast. He may not say much, but he’s talented. When I arrived and saw that ‘Kev’ [Danso] was set to leave, Jean-Louis Leca [Lens’ sports coordinator] assured me, ‘Don’t worry, we have ‘Kodir’ here, and he’s ready.’ He was right. Kodir has very impressive potential.”
How will he integrate into Manchester City’s setup?
Khusanov’s rapid rise in the football world demonstrates that exceptional talent can emerge from anywhere. His calm and level-headed demeanor has served him well, but with only 20 Ligue 1 starts under his belt, it remains uncertain whether he has been signed as a long-term project or if he will be integrated into the team immediately.
Considering his transfer fee of €48 million, it is reasonable to expect that Khusanov will see some playing time soon. Given Manchester City’s recent defensive struggles, Guardiola could certainly benefit from a center-back with a “defense first” mentality.
With veteran right-back Kyle Walker set to leave this month, the team’s need for a defender capable of maintaining speed during long-distance sprints has become critical. One of Guardiola’s primary concerns this season has been getting caught in defensive transitions, so Khusanov’s pace should be a valuable asset.
As for his adaptation, Khusanov is currently learning English, though he tends to be reserved even in his native language. His main challenge will be adjusting to playing in a back four, which requires a strong comfort level with the ball.
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