'Outstanding' Manchester City signing Abdukodir Khusanov was 'one of top three centre-backs in Ligue 1' - Julien Laurens
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/02/image-dfe2a7b1-16b3-40a7-aa20-5e002e65941a-68-310-310.jpeg)
Published 23/01/2025 at 10:38 GMT
Manchester City have been active in the January transfer window, completing the signing of centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens and striker Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt. TNT Sports expert Julien Laurens detailed why Khusanov's move was the "story of the transfer window", praising him as "outstanding". Rio Ferdinand explained why Marmoush will have to "change his approach" in England.
Highlights: Man City on UCL brink after astonishing PSG comeback
Video credit: TNT Sports
Manchester City’s new signing Abdukodir Khusanov was "one of the top three centre-backs in Ligue 1" and "has everything" to succeed in England, according to TNT Sports expert Julien Laurens.
The 20-year-old centre-back joined the English champions from French side Lens on Monday in a deal reportedly worth £38.8 million.
Khusanov will become the first player from Uzbekistan to feature in the Premier League, continuing a rapid rise that has seen him go from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU to working under Pep Guardiola in the space of a year-and-a-half.
"It’s the story of this transfer window, because 18 months ago he was playing in the Belarus top-flight," Laurens told TNT Sports.
"Lens went to get him there for £84,000, and now they’ve just sold him to Manchester City.
"I would say he was one of the top three centre-backs in Ligue 1 this season, outstanding. He just has everything.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/01/22/4088519-82908033-2560-1440.jpg)
'Street football mentality' - Why PSG have turned to youth after Messi, Neymar and Mbappe
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Yes, you bought the potential if you’re Manchester City, because he’s still only 20 years old and has never played in European competitions. But he’s got that potential.
"He’s strong physically, he wins all the duels on the ground, in the air, he’s really quick. He needs to work on the ball-playing side of his game, but for the rest, he’s definitely one for the future.
"I don’t think it will take him long to be able to play for Pep Guardiola."
Joleon Lescott, himself a former Man City centre-back, was encouraged to hear Laurens describe the youngster as someone who embraces the physical side of the game.
"For a young centre-half in today’s era, the fact that his strongest points are without the ball as a defender, that excites me," Lescott said.
"He can improve with the ball, but the fact that he wants to defend, and he can defend is exciting."
Ferdinand: Marmoush must 'change approach' at City
City’s mid-season business continued on Thursday morning as they completed a deal for forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Only Harry Kane of Bayern Munich has outscored the Egyptian in the Bundesliga this season, with the Frankfurt man netting 15 league goals.
But Rio Ferdinand pointed out that he will need to adapt to a new role, providing back-up to Erling Haaland much like Julian Alvarez did until his departure last summer.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/01/09/4079826-82734168-2560-1440.jpg)
Goals, free-kicks and assists - Why Man City want to sign Marmoush
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I think they need another body up there, because you need to give some time on the bench or out of the game to recuperate for Haaland. It can’t all just rest on his shoulders and Alvarez was a great understudy," Ferdinand said.
"[Marmoush] has to change his approach now. He has started every game, but a big difference is he’s always up there with a partner, which he isn’t going to have when you play up front for City.
"He’s going to have to make sure that he understands the duty and the job, that he is not the No. 1 striker, obviously. That’s a big difference for him now. How he adjusts to that."
Kvaratskhelia ‘ticks all boxes’ for PSG
Laurens also touched on one of the biggest deals of the transfer window, Paris Saint-Germain’s signing of Napoli sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Georgia international was in attendance at PSG’s home UEFA Champions League win over Man City on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, but was ineligible to play.
Kvaratskhelia was named Serie A MVP when he inspired Napoli’s first Scudetto in 33 years the season before last, but departed Italy mid-season in a reported £59m move.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/01/22/4088515-82907953-2560-1440.jpg)
Ferdinand: Man City ‘not firing on all cylinders yet’ but are ‘hitting form’ at right time
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It’s a wonderful player they’ve signed, who ticks all the boxes for what PSG are doing now.
"The rebuilding of this team with fewer big stars but a more complete squad with more cohesion and unity and brilliance everywhere. Certainly, he, as a left-winger, will bring that to the team."
---
Stream the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
React to this story
Share this article