Abdukodir Khusanov believed he might end up in Russia before completing his move to Lens, but the Uzbekistan defender had always been determined to build his career in Europe.
Khusanov’s representative, Gairat Khasbiullin, told Sport-Express that several Russian clubs had shown serious interest in the player and were prepared to offer considerably more money. However, the defender rejected that route because his priority was European football.
Khasbiullin recalled flying with Khusanov from Tashkent to Istanbul before their connecting flight to France. When asked whether he realised he was about to join a club in one of Europe’s top five leagues, the player admitted that he had expected to be sold to Russia instead. Sochi made a concrete approach, while Alania were also interested, but Khusanov remained committed to his original goal.
His transfer to Lens began almost by accident. A French scout travelled to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup intending to watch an Argentine centre-back. Argentina faced Uzbekistan in their opening game, and Khusanov caught the scout’s attention. The Lens representative stayed for another Uzbekistan match, prepared a video report and sent it to the club’s head coach, who instructed the recruitment department to find the player.
Lens subsequently presented Khusanov with a clear development plan. The French club viewed him as a potential successor to Kevin Danso, although Khusanov eventually left Lens before the Austrian defender.
Before Khusanov joined Manchester City, Newcastle United were the other club to make a genuinely concrete attempt to sign him. Khasbiullin said there may also have been interest from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and other teams, but Newcastle’s approach was the only one that developed into serious negotiations. The agent added that Newcastle’s officials later congratulated Khusanov’s representatives on his move to City.
Khusanov endured a difficult introduction to English football. He had completed only one training session with Manchester City and had not played a competitive match for around a month when Pep Guardiola selected him to start against Chelsea. An early mistake led to a goal, but Guardiola kept the defender on the pitch.
According to Khasbiullin, Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish were among the first teammates to support Khusanov after the incident. Grealish told the Uzbek defender that his response to the mistake had helped unite the team and contributed to City turning the match around.
Khasbiullin admitted that he had initially been angry with Guardiola for placing Khusanov in such a difficult situation so soon after his arrival. In retrospect, however, he believes the experience accelerated the player’s development and demonstrated the strength of his character.
It took Khusanov approximately six months to feel fully comfortable at Manchester City. His agent regarded the moment he began joking naturally with the club’s senior players as evidence that the adaptation process had been completed.
Khasbiullin believes Khusanov’s pace and ability to defend large spaces were central to Guardiola’s plans. While other defenders were encouraged to move forward, the Uzbek international was often instructed to remain behind the attack and prevent opponents from breaking away on the counter.
The agent argued that City became considerably more secure against counterattacks once Khusanov established himself in the team. He also credited Guardiola with significantly improving the defender’s work in possession.
“By his age, I consider him one of the best centre-backs in the world,” Khasbiullin said, adding that he expects Khusanov eventually to become a Manchester City legend.
Guardiola also regularly used Khusanov as an example for the rest of the squad. When the defender was not playing, the coach reportedly drew attention to how hard he continued to work in training. Once Khusanov earned his opportunity, Guardiola reminded the players that perseverance rather than reputation determined who received playing time.
Khasbiullin described the relationship between the two as particularly warm and said Guardiola invested heavily in Khusanov’s individual development. The defender was deeply disappointed by the coach’s departure, having hoped to continue working with him for at least another season.
Away from the pitch, Khusanov remains reluctant to seek publicity. His representative explained that the player rarely gives interviews because he feels uncomfortable speaking publicly, not because he considers himself above the media. He prefers to express himself through his performances.
Khusanov also does not normally approach opponents to exchange shirts. He will agree when another player asks him, as happened with Antonio Rüdiger and Tijjani Reijnders, but considers it inappropriate to make the first request himself.
His English has improved considerably, while his relationships with City teammates — including Haaland, Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol — have become increasingly close.
Khusanov has also become a symbol for a new generation in Uzbekistan. Khasbiullin noted that children who once pretended to be Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Kylian Mbappé now also play as Khusanov.
For young Uzbek footballers, his career represents proof that a graduate of a domestic academy can progress through Belarus and France before reaching one of the biggest clubs in world football.