Abdukodir Khusanov: Why Man City have spent £34m to sign Lens' defensive 'monster' from Uzbekistan

Khusanov took his first steps in football at the academy of Uzbek side FK Bunyodkor, where his father Hikmat Hashimov, an Uzbek international, finished his career. His dream of following in the footsteps of his father, who is described as his idol, in turning out for Bunyodkor's first team was never realised, however, as Khusanov was written off by the club's coaches for being too small and thin.

After leaving Bunyodkor in 2022 aged 18, Khusanov instead joined Belarussian club Energetik-BGU, where he soon became a regular fixture in the starting line-up.

Not long after moving to Minsk, Khusanov enjoyed his first major success as Uzbekistan won the 2023 Under-20 Asian Cup on home soil, his side conceding just one goal all tournament. His performances led to him being named among the most promising defenders in the world by the CIES Football Observatory.

Khusanov took an even bigger step two months later at the U20 World Cup in Argentina, playing every minute as Uzbekistan reached the last 16 before being eliminated by Israel thanks to a goal deep in added time. Less than two months later ,he was snapped up by Lens, who signed him in the summer of 2023 for just €100,000 (£83,000/$104,000).

Khusanov finished third in the Uzbek Footballer of the Year awards in 2023 and enjoyed a steady start to life with Lens, making 11 Ligue 1 appearances in his first season and two outings off the bench in the Champions League, including facing Arsenal. He also played for Uzkbekistan in last summer's Olympic Games in Paris, coming up against Spain among others.

He began to make a real name for himself this season, though, thanks to a surprise turn of events. When Lens centre-back Kevin Danso was on the verge of moving to Roma, Khusanov took his place in the team. Danso's dream move to the Italian capital collapsed, however, when he failed his medical due to a detection of a potential heart problem.

Danso was advised against training and playing while the heart issue was investigated, and Khusanov took full advantage, delivering a series of impressive performances in the Austrian's absence. Danso eventually returned to the team in October, but Khusanov kept his place in the starting XI, interrupting the long-standing trio of Danso, Jonathan Gradit, and Facundo Medina.

Khusanov and Danso have locked down their spots in the team, with Gradit and Medina competing for the third place. The change has not affected Lens' solidity as, despite being seventh in the table, they have the third-best defensive record in Ligue 1, having conceded just 18 goals as many games.

Khusanov is renowned for his brutish strength and fiercely competitive nature. Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba described him as "a monster who scares me" after a goalless draw at Nice earlier in the season, while journalist Narzulla Saydullaev told So Foot: "In Uzbekistan, they say that being hit by a train or by Abdukodir is the same thing."

The defender also has astounding recovery pace. Late last year, a clip of him sprinting the length of the pitch to chase down Reims' Junya Ito, clocking 37kmph went viral.

While power, pace and aggression are his main assets, Khusanov is also known for his his tactical intelligence and his ability to begin attacks due to his quality on the ball and his tactical intelligence. Lens coach Will Still said: "He’s calm, powerful, he’s fast… He doesn’t talk but he’s good. When I arrived and it looked like Danso was leaving, Jean-Louis Leca [Lens’ sporting director] told me: ‘Don’t worry, Kodir is here and he’s ready.’ He wasn’t wrong. He has very, very impressive potential."

Khusanov needs to work on his decision making and improve his passing to get to the level required by City. He is also quiet compared to most centre-backs, preferring to let his football do the talking. He will have to become more vocal to thrive at City while also working on his language skills to properly integrate into the squad.

Khusanov's aggressive defending and willingness to get stuck in has drawn comparisons with City's Ruben Dias, while the pair also share an aptitude for winning aerial duels. There is also something about the 20-year-old which is reminiscent of Nemanja Vidic, namely his fearlessness and his refusal to back down in confrontations with opponents.

Khusanov felt heading into January that the time was right to broaden his horizons and take a step forward in his career. His agent, Gairat Khasbiullin, told The Mirror: "He’s one of the best in his position in Europe, young and every day becomes even stronger. He deserves to play in the best clubs in Europe."

Lens CEO Pierre Dreossi also declared that Khusanov "will leave in January", though City were not the only club to tak an interest in the centre-back, who was also being pursued by Real Madrid, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle. City, however, had both the financial muscle to get a deal done and the prestige and, even given their dismal recent results, are able to guarantee Khusanov trophies and Champions League football over the course of his four-and-a-half year contract.

Khusanov will, however, likely play a peripheral role until the end of the season, although if the club's injury problems continue he could find himself on the frontline in their battle to finish in the top four and win both the FA Cup and Champions League.