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Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov has started the season strongly at right-back
Pep Guardiola said that Abdukodir Khusanov is already looking like a prime Kyle Walker as he raved about the defender's start to the season. The January signing has started the last three games at right-back and is now seen as a credible option in the position.
City did not buy a right-back in the summer transfer window, despite the wishes of many fans. Rayan Ait-Nouri arrived at left-back in a market where the Blues spent £175m, but new sporting director Hugo Viana did not look to strengthen the other flank. That decision was put under further scrutiny after two losses in the opening three Premier League matches where both Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes had struggled in the role.
However, Khusanov has started there for matches against United, Napoli and Arsenal - and impressed in all. He was withdrawn at the break at the Emirates with injury, and City did not look as comfortable defensively after that.
Guardiola is happy to use the Uzbekistan international at right-back as well as centre-back, and believes that the 21-year-old has a big future ahead of him at the Etihad.
"He can play as a central defender and all positions in the back except left-back. He's not a player who can create a lot up front but he is solid and stable, his physicality, his backwords [running] is like Kyle [Walker] in his prime," he said.
"He is incredibly focused, so young, wants to learn, and been really good against tough opponents. He's so young, coming from a different experience from Uzbekistan to France for 10 Ligue 1 games and then immediately came here - and came in a season that was difficult for us.
"That's why when you come and everything is set everything is easier to settle. He learns quick and you smell that he is an incredible top signing for many years in this club.
"This guy will make a career in this club for many years."
City will come up against Walker at the Etihad on Saturday when the defender returns with Burnley. He joined the club in 2017 from Tottenham and stayed for eight years before leaving, although he spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan.
Before then, City take on Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
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