How Abdukodir Khusanov bounced back to become Man City's new cult hero - and how he fits into the club's defence of the future

The Uzbek provided one of the key moments early on in the final when he hared down on Kai Havertz and retrieved the ball, while Khusanov later provided a crowd-pleasing moment for City fans with the meatiest of challenges on Viktor Gyokeres.

The tackle on the Arsenal striker brought to mind a quote from journalist Narzulla Saydullaev, who said, "In Uzbekistan, they say that being hit by a train or by Abdukodir is the same thing."

In City's previous game against Real Madrid, Khusanov gave City fans something to hold on to on an otherwise grim night, showcasing his now-renowned recovery speed by chasing down both Vinicius Jr and Brahim Diaz. He also played a big role in City’s incredible win at Liverpool in February, shutting down the twin threats of Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike before being forced off with concussion.

Khusanov’s speed is his greatest asset. The CIES Football Observatory recently described him as the fastest central defender in the Champions League. He also has the lung capacity to make recovery run after recovery run, averaging 17.85 sprints per 90 minutes, the most of any central defender in the Premier League.

His recovery pace makes him particularly valuable to Guardiola, whose side are playing with an increasingly higher defensive line after hiring Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp's former assistant, last summer.

Guardiola has repeatedly said Khusanov is "so fast", but he has also emphasised the youngster's football intelligence: "Normally when a player has physicality, it means he does not have to use the head. He has both. That's why on the ball he is getting better and it always encourages me that he will improve."

Another attribute worth pointing out is Khusanov’s mental resilience. He endured a harrowing start to life at City, making a howler that led to a goal on his debut against Chelsea as he mistimed a headed challenge with Nicolas Jackson and then naively stooped to nod the ball back towards goalkeeper Ederson, leading to Jackson pouncing and setting up Noni Madueke to score.

A minute later, Khusanov earned himself a yellow card before then playing Cole Palmer onside, only to gather himself and make a tremendous block to stop Jadon Sancho from scoring. Khusanov subsequently risked getting himself sent off with another careless challenge, and Guardiola took preventative action by hauling him off early in the second half.

He was given a rousing ovation by City fans, but it felt out of sympathy more than anything else. On Sky Sports commentary duty, Gary Neville said he "felt like crying for the lad".

It didn't get any easier for the youngster as he was exposed by Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius on his Champions League debut against Real Madrid, with former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson claiming that Khusanov he 'had been caught like a rabbit in headlights'. A month later, he scored an own goal in a home draw with Brighton.

That was the last league game Khusanov would play in the 2024-25 season, and he wasn’t even named in the City squad for their final four matches. Thus, when Vitor Reis - who had arrived at the same time as him and for an almost identical fee - was sent out on loan to Girona in the summer, it was tempting to wonder whether Khusanov would also benefit from a temporary spell elsewhere. But he put his time out of the spotlight to good use, spending four hours a week learning English.

"He doesn't speak like William Shakespeare, but he's getting better and better," Guardiola said recently. "He understands what we want and every time he is getting better. He is so intelligent. I think he can improve - he is always open-minded. I have said Manchester City have a player and a central defender for many, many years."

After a year of changes, City's group of central defenders looks in rude health, comprised of four exceptional players in Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Josko Gvardiol (the Croatian has been out with a broken leg since January) and Khusanov.

The question is which pairing Guardiola - or whoever succeeds him - eventually prefers. Khusanov faces a challenge in unseating Dias, City’s most experienced defender, and latest signing Guehi as the current first-choice pairing. Gvardiol had moved back to the middle before his injury, but does have extensive experience of playing at left-back and thus could still slot in out wide.

Khusanov can also play at right-back, doing so effectively in the 3-0 win over Manchester United in September, but not so well in the first leg against Real Madrid. With City used to playing 60 or more games per season, they need a defence that runs deep, and Khusanov is going to prove very useful to their continued pursuit of fighting on all fronts.

The player seems to have no airs and graces and is unlikely to kick up a fuss about not playing every game. Guardiola revealed that Khusanov doesn’t bring a wash bag to matches, as his only focus is playing. Previous club Lens were also impressed with his maturity after signing him for just €100,000 aged 19.

"I was surprised that he looked and played as if he was not 19, but 25 years old," said then-coach Franck Haise. "He acts like a ready-made, adult player. He surprised us with his technical ability and physical power."

Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro, the last defender to win the Ballon d’Or after captaining Italy to World Cup glory in 2026, called Khusanov, "certainly one of the most representative players of the national team, a leader to follow despite being only 22 years old. A kind of compass pointing the way".

Khusanov might appear shy and of few words, but his actions, be it haring down on opponents or delivering full-throttle tackles, speak loudly. And people are sitting up and taking notice. The chattering City fans on the train can expect many more moments to savour from their own baby-faced assassin.