What Man City signing Abdukodir Khusanov could mean for Pep Guardiolaʼs Rodri solution
Manchester City are closing in on their first signing of the January window, with highly-rated Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov set to join the reigning Premier League champions. The 20-year-old Uzbekistan international is reported to have agreed to a four-and-a-half-year deal, with Lens receiving €40 million for the player they signed for just €100,000 from FC Energetik-BGU Minsk 18 months ago.
According to sources, Khusanov’s arrival could pave the way for Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis to follow suit as City ramp up their squad overhaul. Pep Guardiola’s team has struggled to find consistency this season, leaving fans hopeful that these additions will address some of the squad’s deficiencies.
However, questions remain about whether Khusanov’s signing directly addresses City’s glaring midfield issues following Rodri’s absence.
City’s midfield has been a problem area since the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Arsenal in September. While Rodri remains optimistic about a return later in the season, it’s unlikely he’ll feature before the European campaign ends. This leaves Guardiola in need of solutions, with opponents often exploiting City’s lack of midfield control during transitions.
Despite links to several holding midfielders, including Martin Zubimendi and Douglas Luiz, City’s focus in January appears to be on defenders and attackers. Khusanov’s signing, alongside the expected arrival of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush, highlights the club’s willingness to bolster other areas of the squad.
However, the January transfer window’s notoriously challenging nature makes finding high-quality midfield reinforcements particularly tricky.
Guardiola’s penchant for tactical flexibility could make Khusanov a key part of a creative midfield solution. The young defender’s pace and versatility might see him emulate Josko Gvardiol’s transition to a roving full-back role, while Manuel Akanji could step into midfield—a role Guardiola once earmarked for the Swiss international.
Injuries to key defenders Ruben Dias and John Stones have limited this experiment, but Khusanov’s arrival could reignite the idea.
City’s previous attempts to replace Rodri’s influence in midfield have fallen short. Kalvin Phillips is on loan at Ipswich Town and unlikely to return to City, while Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes have struggled to consistently impress in Rodri’s absence.
Guardiola’s reluctance to fully trust these players highlights the difficulty of finding midfielders who can operate within his demanding system.
While some fans may view the Khusanov signing as a roundabout solution to a midfield crisis, Guardiola’s history of deploying defenders in advanced roles suggests this could be a calculated move. With the Premier League title race still wide open, City’s ability to adapt could prove pivotal.
For now, Khusanov’s versatility offers Guardiola options as he looks to navigate a challenging season.
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