Chelsea are reportedly keeping an eye on Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov’s situation as Xabi Alonso looks to bolster a leaky backline. The Blues believe the prospect of regular football would convince the 22-year-old, who is not in the first team picture at the Etihad Stadium, to move to Stamford Bridge.
The West London club are expected to contact the representatives of the Uzbekistan international in the next few days to see if a move is possible. Chelsea are one of four Premier League clubs keen on the centre-back ahead of the January transfer window.
Chelsea are reportedly impressed by Khusanov’s tactical versatility, with the defender able to play at right-back as well as centre-back. Alonso has favoured a 3-4-2-1 system, and the ex-Lens man would be the ideal right-sided centre-half in that formation. He can play on either side of central defence and in a back three.
But any move would be complicated by Khusanov’s contract situation in Manchester. The Uzbek signed an extension in July that keeps him at City until 2031 with the option of a further year. He joined from Lens for a reported £33.5m in January 2025 and started the two domestic cup finals last season.
His place looks less secure under new City boss Enzo Maresca, as he was dropped for City’s last two Premier League games. And that change of circumstances is precisely what Chelsea are understood to be analysing as they consider a possible approach.
Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea: Defensive Weaknesses
Chelsea’s interest in Khusanov is due to a defensive record that has become more and more unsustainable during Alonso’s embryonic spell at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have conceded 12 goals in five Premier League games, the most porous tally in the division.
The frailties were laid bare in the 3-0 loss at Brentford on September 18, the Bees exploiting set-pieces and fast counter-attacks. The result extended Chelsea’s drought to 22 successive Premier League matches without a clean sheet.
The club had already spent a reported £52m on Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in the summer. Alonso has Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Josh Acheampong available to partner him at centre-back but has yet to settle on a partnership. Chelsea, two points off the top four, return to action against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on October 10 after the international break.