Khusanov: From Spotlight to Sidelines…
Oh, the delightful dilemma of being a Manchester City star! Enter Abdukodir Khusanov — the boy who swapped Ligue 1 for Manchester rain faster than you can say ‘football gobbledygook’. This center-back from the snowy Mountains of Impecoqlanistan burst onto the Etihad stage in January, tap-dancing his way into Pep Guardiola’s tactical blueprint like a seagull chasing a chip. February saw him crowned Player of the Month, a title he earned with swagger and perhaps a dash of pixie dust. Yet, since the Bournemouth brawl known as the Great Half-Time Hook, he’s been stuck warming benches more than an electric blanket in a blackout.
Now, it’s not a shampoo brawl with Pep that’s to blame (though maybe Khusanov missed too many free-kicks at practice when aiming for the shower gel!), but a perfect storm of City’s defensive talent. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, the iron giants at the back, have been as immoveable as a mountain biker with a flat tire. Khusanov’s magical February was a flash in the pan, yet his presence in the stands with Vitor Reis during the Wolves game is a subtle wink-wink from the universe about City’s treasure trove of talent.
With John Stones and Nathan Ake running their own private infirmary, one might assume their absence could make room for our hero on Pep’s spaceship of a bench. But alas, dear Khusanov sits in solitude, pondering Guardiola’s master plan. No more centre-backs, they say! City will surely add more players in the summer like toppings on a pizza, but only once they’re sure Khusanov’s cupboard isn’t full and Bah won’t have to return from Lens with just selfies and souvenirs. Until then, hold tight Khusanov, for your time to dazzle the Etihad faithful may yet come again!
