Hugo Viana says Abdukodir Khusanov has all the capabilities to be one of the best defenders in world football.
The Uzbek international arrived at City in January 2025 having played senior football in Belarus and then with Lens in France.
Still only 22, he’s already made an incredible impact, playing more than 50 times and extending his contract with City this summer until 2031.
Watch Part One of the interview here
Blessed with extreme pace and significant strength, it was immediately obvious to fans what made Khusanov an impressive talent.
However, Viana says his development this early in his career has even surprised City staff.
“We all knew when we brought him, we all knew about his physicality – his physical attributes,” the Director of Football began.
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“But we all believed that he could be a really important player. Not so soon, because he was young and had only been playing in France for a short time.
“We’ve been really happy with him. He’s still developing, still has to learn and we feel sure he can be one of the best centre backs in the world.”
Khusanov’s new contract was one of several agreed with members of Enzo Maresca’s squad this summer, including Jérémy Doku, Phil Foden and Joško Gvardiol.
On Doku, Viana believes the Belgian winger provides something different to any other player currently at the top table of European football.
“He was really important last season. He made another step in terms of his performance, especially in the last six months of the season,” he said.
“Again, it’s another player that has unique characteristics, especially one against one he’s one of the best wingers in the world now.
“Of course, if we have this kind of player at home we should keep him. We are really happy that we could reach an agreement with him for five years.”
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Gvardiol also put pen to paper on a deal until 2031.
The Croatian has been integral since arriving in Manchester in the summer of 2023 and has already developed into one of the best defenders in the world.
Far from being a standard centre-back or full-back, the 24-year-old has also proven incredibly adept in the final third – notching 14 goals and 11 assists in 128 appearances.
Viana heaped praise on the No.24 too.
“We were really confident that we were going to reach an agreement with him because he really wants to stay and wants to be an important player,” he said.
“He’s doing so well as a centre back and a left back and sometimes as a number 10 or midfielder! He’s a very versatile player with an unbelievable mentality.
“It’s another player that we’re really happy to keep him and we’re really proud he wants to stay with us because he’s a very good player and person.
“It’s very difficult to find this kind of player around the world.”
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