Why Manchester City Paid 50 Million Euros for a Footballer from Uzbekistan
In early 2025, many football observers felt certain that transfers worth 50 million euros usually involved established European stars. However, the arrival of a 19-year-old central defender from Uzbekistan at «Manchester City» challenged all conventional wisdom. The English club announced that it had spent this substantial sum on a player who initially built his reputation in the Belarusian league before showcasing his skills at «Lens» in France. Despite the surprising size of the fee, insiders insisted there were solid reasons for the investment. If you download Bet9ja APK on your smartphone, you gain instant access to detailed football predictions right at your fingertips. To explore more about innovative apps like this, visit the comprehensive guide on beton.ng.
The talent in question, named Abdukodir Husanov, attracted attention as soon as he joined «Energetik-BGU» in 2022. That season, the Belarusian club took second place in the domestic championship, even though it was later stripped of its medals for regulatory violations. Scouts who followed the Belarusian league consistently emphasized the unusual combination of speed and defensive aggression that Husanov displayed. Some of them indicated that the young Uzbek’s top sprint reached 35 km/h, an uncommon statistic for a central defender. Observers also mentioned that he was comfortable under pressure and possessed an 82% pass accuracy over his final ten matches in Belarus.
His strong showings did not go unnoticed in France. By 2023, «Lens»—fresh off a second-place finish in Ligue 1—had decided to invest in the teenager. It soon became apparent that Husanov’s adaptation to a higher level of European football was smooth, partly due to a background in competitive environments. He was a product of the «Bunyodkor» academy in Tashkent, and analysts suggested that his development in Uzbekistan had emphasized technique and positional play. They pointed out that he contributed to «Lens» in 28 matches across all competitions, averaged nearly four interceptions per game, and demonstrated consistent long-ball accuracy when his team pushed forward. Several top-tier clubs, including «Real Madrid» and «Paris Saint-Germain», supposedly monitored his progress, anticipating a bidding war.
As for «Manchester City», there were clear motivators behind this dramatic purchase. The team faced persistent injury issues: John Stones repeatedly struggled with fitness, and Rúben Dias missed significant time with muscular setbacks. While Pep Guardiola’s side boasted an array of attacking talent, the defensive department was said to be in dire need of reinforcements. Insiders within the club hinted that the manager wanted a center-back possessing raw pace, strong aerial ability, and the adaptability to shift quickly from a low block to a high press. Observers believed Husanov fulfilled these criteria, especially given his track record in high-intensity matches for the Uzbekistan national youth squads. He helped his country reach the knockout stage of the Under-20 World Cup, providing the stability that propelled the team through tough matches.
At the end of the day, the Uzbek defender’s story seemed to offer a perfect storm of circumstances: a pressing need in «Manchester City»’s defensive lineup, a rapid ascent from local leagues to top-flight football, and a versatile skill set that could thrive under Guardiola’s demands. His father’s guidance and the supportive environment provided by both the Belarusian and French leagues further shaped an athlete who was unafraid to adapt, experiment, and excel.https://backend.runasport.com/storage/app/uploads/public/677/aa8/f0b/thumb_10171_1200_0_0_0_landscape.jpg