The raw potential of Abdukodir Khusanov signals the start of Manchester City’s rebuild

Meet Abdukodir Khusanov, the 20-year-old Uzbekistan defender who is set to be Manchester City’s first reinforcement of this busy transfer window. It is important to note Lens do not seem especially keen to build up with passes through the middle, so while Khusanov will find himself with the ball at the back, he will often just play a fairly simple pass to his full-back, or to his centre-back partner so he can pass to the full-back on his side. Guardiola has also told Josko Gvardiol to keep things simple at the back and leave the creating to the forwards, so City’s defenders do not need to be artists, but it must be said that at present Khusanov does not appear especially refined in possession, for a couple of reasons, and will arrive with a couple of rough edges to smooth off. It is clear that City rate Khusanov extremely highly and by making a move for him now, as they look to get their season back on track and build their next all-conquering side, they are obviously confident that he can be moulded into somebody who, perhaps like Dias, does not have to be especially expansive in possession but is comfortable holding onto the ball under pressure and picking the right short-range option.