Khusanov's Rocky Start at Manchester City
Abdukodir Khusanov endured a nightmare start to his Manchester City debut in their 3-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. The 20-year-old Uzbek defender, signed from Lens for $33.6 million, made a costly error just three minutes into the game, gifting Chelsea the opening goal. His weak back-header was intercepted by Nicolas Jackson, who set up Noni Madueke to score. Moments later, Khusanov was booked for a foul on Cole Palmer after another misplaced pass.
Despite the shaky start, Khusanov showed resilience, with his teammates rallying around him. City’s fans also offered encouragement, applauding his simple passes as he regained composure. Pep Guardiola substituted him in the 54th minute, citing the yellow card and the need to preserve John Stones for an upcoming Champions League clash. Guardiola defended Khusanov, stating, “He will learn. He’s young and has come for many years. It’s not the best start, but dealing with players like Jackson and Palmer is not easy.”
City recovered from the early setback with goals from Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden, securing a crucial win that lifted them back into the top four. Guardiola praised the team’s character, particularly their support for Khusanov, and highlighted the importance of the victory ahead of their midweek European fixture. While Khusanov’s debut was far from ideal, Guardiola remains confident the young defender will grow from the experience.
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