Chelsea are reportedly monitoring Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov ahead of the January transfer window.
The 22-year-old has established himself as an important part of City’s defensive squad since arriving from Lens in January 2025.
Chelsea are now said to be keeping a close eye on his situation as Xabi Alonso continues to assess a defence that has struggled for consistency during the opening weeks of the season.
There is no indication that Chelsea have submitted an offer or opened negotiations.
Chelsea watching Abdukodir Khusanov
Chelsea are one of several Premier League clubs monitoring Khusanov, according to CaughtOffside’s latest report on the Uzbekistan international.
The report claims the Blues are looking closely at his situation ahead of January, although any move would be complicated by City’s strong contractual position.
Khusanov only signed a new Manchester City deal running until 2031 earlier this summer.
That extension followed an encouraging first 18 months at the Etihad, during which he became an increasingly regular first-team option.
Khusanov has also started all three of City’s Premier League matches in which he has appeared this season, underlining that he is far from a peripheral figure.
Chelsea defensive problems explain transfer interest
Chelsea’s reported interest makes sense in the context of their early defensive struggles.
Alonso has repeatedly spoken about the need for greater balance, but the Blues still conceded 12 goals across their opening five Premier League fixtures.
Those problems were particularly obvious when Brentford repeatedly exposed Chelsea in transition during the 3-0 defeat.
Chelsea already have several centre-backs available, with Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong and Aaron Anselmino all competing for places.
However, Alonso’s five-man centre-back group has not yet produced the defensive stability he wanted.
That has kept potential defensive recruitment on the agenda.
Chelsea are also continuing to monitor Giorgio Scalvini despite his new Atalanta contract, but Khusanov would represent a different type of target given his existing Premier League experience.
There is no suggestion Manchester City are actively looking to sell.
With Khusanov tied down until 2031 and already playing regularly, Chelsea would likely face a difficult negotiation if their interest develops into something more concrete.
For now, the situation remains at the monitoring stage.
But with Alonso still searching for a more reliable defensive structure, Khusanov is another name worth tracking as Chelsea begin planning for January.
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