Playing for a club of Manchester City’s stature, it is part and parcel for players to receive widespread criticism.
Roy Keane called Erling Haaland a “League Two player” despite the Norwegian international proving that he is one of the most devastating strikers in the world from the get-go at City.
Tony Cascarino slated Phil Foden’s form last season and claimed that he had fallen from grace after leading his boyhood club to the Premier League title in 2024.
If players of the calibre of Haaland and Foden can come under brutal criticism, their teammates at the Etihad Stadium are expected to be given the same treatment.
Gary Neville says Abdukodir Khusanov has been “way off it” at Man City
Gary Neville has now claimed on the Overlap US’ podcast, It’s Called Soccer that Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico Gonzalez have been “way off it” since signing for Manchester City, saying: “‘m not surprised [Pep Guardiola would like a small squad] , it was understandable. But I think what he’s probably saying is, they signed the boy in midfield. Nico Gonzalez, yeah. Nico Gonzalez, and then they signed Khusanov. Now, Pep has had a habit of players struggling to take to them in the first few months, and then all of a sudden they sort of build in the second season, they can get better.”
“So that might happen with Nico Gonzalez and Khusanov, but there’s a part of me looking at those two players thinking, bloody hell, they’re way off it.”
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[Omar] Marmoush, definitely not, he looked like he’s slotted straight in and looked like he could definitely be a threat, but the other two looked like they were like, geez, you need better than that if you’re going to get back to the top. I don’t think other clubs will be too scared at this moment in time if City are signing that type of player. Now, one of them, Khusanov’s young, Nico Gonzalez has got many years in front of him, but they did look like they’ve got a lot of settling into and a lot of improvement.”
While Gary Neville claimed Khusanov could redeem himself at Manchester City, the truth is that the Uzbek international has looked like the real deal since joining Pep Guardiola’s men.
Ian Wright described Khusanov as “excellent” and perhaps the Manchester United legend feels the 21-year-old has struggled due to his nervy debut against Chelsea where he erred in the lead-up to Noni Madueke’s goal.
But even against Enzo Maresca’s side, the former RC Lens defender proceeded to put in a solid display, keeping Jadon Sancho’s goal-mouth effort at bay and making important challenges on Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer.
Khusanov has impressed Pep Guardiola since then, standing out in particular in big games against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur while taming Vinicius Jr in Manchester City’s 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid.
The youngster eventually lost his place to the likes of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol at the backend of last season, who were perhaps favoured over him due to the City defender’s lack of experience.
ABDUKODIR KHUSANOV STATS AT MAN CITY
APPEARANCES 9
STARTS 8
CLEAN SHEETS 0
However, all in all, Gary Neville’s criticism of Khusanov as well as Nico is harsh, considering both players have largely fared well since joining Manchester City during the winter transfer window.
How Man City feel about Abdukodir Khusanov behind the scenes
The Spaniard has had quiet games in fairness but his displays against Fulham, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest indicate that there is a real player in there.
Khaldoon Al-Mubarak lauded Khusanov and described him as a “very talented” young player, which goes to show that City fully back him.
Dion Dublin revealed Manchester City rate Khusanov highly and as Gary Neville stated, he could very well reach the next level in the following campaign.
Photo by Harry Murphy - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images
Dublin said: “He seems to be the one where the light has been shining on him when it’s gone wrong.”
“He’s in the frame all the time. He’s been unlucky, he’s not a bad player, when you speak to people in and around City they say he’s aggressive, he’s good on the ball, he’s quick. He has a lot going for him.”