Uzbekistan national team’s bright defender Abduqodir Husanov's debut in the English Premier League did not start as successfully as expected. The young player, who transferred from the French club "Lens" to "Manchester City" for 33 million pounds during the winter transfer window of 2025, is facing challenges in adapting to the English championship.
Up to today, Husanov has only played in 9 matches with his team. Notably, he has been left on the bench in the last eight matches. This situation has drawn the attention of many fans and raised various questions about the player's future at the club.
Roy Keane: "This is a natural adjustment phase"
One of the prominent figures in English football, former player Roy Keane, commented on this situation with a realistic approach:
"Husanov's unfortunate start at 'City' is not a tragedy. Adjusting to a new country, new environment, new language, and new teammates is not an easy task. This is a typical adjustment process for a young player. I believe Abduqodir will overcome this challenge and show himself soon," he said in an interview with ITV.
The game against "Bournemouth" — the first signs of fatigue
Abduqodir Husanov was recognized as the best player in his team in February. However, after the national team gatherings in March, signs of fatigue were clearly noticeable in the match against "Bournemouth." Unable to show himself in this match, Abduqodir was substituted after the first half. The good performance of Niko O'Reilly, who replaced him, intensified the competition at "City."
What are the reasons for the poor start?
According to the Daily Mail, Husanov's lack of participation in regular training for more than a month before his arrival in England has affected his performance. Due to the winter break in the French championship and transfer-related processes, Husanov did not have sufficient match practice.
Additionally, he only had one training session with his new team before making his debut against "Chelsea," where he made a mistake. This did not create a good first impression among the coach and fans.
Difficulty in fully understanding English and the coach's instructions is also cited as one of Husanov's initial problems. However, he has demonstrated his potential in subsequent matches, including games against "Real" in the Champions League and "Liverpool" in the Premier League.
Abduqodir Husanov — an important part of the club's future
Within "Manchester City," there is high confidence in Husanov's talent. His youth and high potential have impressed the club scouts. Especially, his friendship with Vitor Reis indicates that they could become the main pairing in "City's" defense in the future.
Currently, there is significant competition in the team's defense line. Due to O'Reilly's successful performances and the high-level play of the Dias-Gvardiol pairing, Pep Guardiola does not feel the need for changes.
However, for the club's management, Husanov is a player with great potential. The most important issue is for the player to better master the language and fully adapt to the team's tactics. The summer preparation phase will provide Abduqodir with a new opportunity to showcase himself.
Undoubtedly, there are great hopes for Abduqodir Husanov's future at "Manchester City." Experts see him as one of the new stars that will shine in the Premier League.
