Manuel Akanji reveals what Manchester City did to “lift” Abdukodir Khusanov after horror start against Chelsea | OneFootball

Manchester City’s players were thrust into action to lift one of the team’s new signings on Saturday evening after a horror start from Uzbek debutant, Abdukodir Khusanov.

The 20-year-old, who became Manchester City’s first signing of the January market having made a €40 million switch from RC Lens, was brought directly into the action as a result of injury and fitness concerns continuing to hamper Pep Guardiola’s options.

With both Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake still sidelined with injury, and John Stones lacking in the necessary match fitness to last 90 minutes of football at present, the decision was taken to entrust Khusanov with a high-profile clash against Enzo Maresca’s side.

However, after a bright direct pass to spark a Manchester City attack, Khusanov would endure a torrid following few minutes as he caused an error leading directly to Chelsea’s opener, before picking up a yellow card for a foul on Cole Palmer moments later.

The rest of Abdukodir Khusanov’s 53 minutes before being substituted early in the second-half were immensely positive, and such was his comeback from a shaky start that the Etihad Stadium faithful applauded his exit as John Stones took his place on the field.

Speaking to reporters after City’s 3-1 comeback win over Chelsea in the Premier League, taking Pep Guardiola’s side up to fourth in the division, Manuel Akanji spoke of the work that was put into place to put an arm around Khusanov during the opening exchanges.

“It wasn’t a good start for Khusanov, but he recovered really well,” Akanji said after the victory. “It’s not easy to play your first match at home against Chelsea. We tried to lift him and he did well after.”

The Swiss international continued, “I tried to protect him, not bring him in situations where it could be really tricky, especially against so many good individual players.

“I just tried to lift him and tell him not to think too much but to keep going, maybe play the safer pass back to Eddy in his next action and win his next duel to get his confidence back. I think that’s the only thing you can really do.”

On how he and his City teammates worked to communicate with Khusanov of Uzbekistan, who starred in Ligue 1 prior to his big-money move to the Etihad Stadium, Akanji said, “He says he understands English better than French so I speak English with him.

“He will improve his English – he needs to because we need to communicate, it’s especially important as centre-backs so we can help teammates around us. He understands a lot. He can’t really talk good yet but it will come definitely.”

Abdukodir Khusanov will next have the opportunity to start again for Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, as Pep Guardiola and his players aim to close the gap on Arsenal in 2nd position to just three points with victory at the Emirates Stadium.