Abdukodir Khusanov: Man City defender has turned his form around

Abdukodir Khusanov, 21, has become the first Uzbek to play in the Premier League and has made 22 appearances for Manchester City this season.

Abdukodir Khusanov has improved his form this season and become a regular option for Manchester City. The 21-year-old moved from Belarus' top flight to the Premier League within three years. He is the first player from Uzbekistan to feature in England's top division and is set to represent his country at the World Cup this summer. Manager Pep Guardiola has spoken positively about Khusanov's understanding of the team and his ongoing development. Key facts: - The 21-year-old rose quickly from Belarus' top division to the Premier League in about three years and is the first Uzbek to play in England's top tier. - He has made 22 appearances for Manchester City this season, including matches in wins over Manchester United, Newcastle and the comeback victory at Liverpool. - Guardiola praised his display after the Liverpool match, saying "what a game he played," and Khusanov was substituted in the second half after a collision with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. - Khusanov's main asset is his speed, recorded at 22mph this season (the sixth-highest for a Premier League defender), and he has 17 tackles and 18 interceptions, placing him second among City players on both metrics. - He won Manchester City's player of the month award for January; he arrived in Manchester with limited English and is described as still young and sometimes nervous in possession, though coaches say his on-ball play is improving. Summary: Khusanov's emergence has given Manchester City additional defensive options while other centre-backs have been unavailable, and his pace and defensive statistics have stood out. Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence in his development and noted steady improvement on the ball. He is scheduled to represent Uzbekistan at the World Cup this summer.