Man City 3-1 Chelsea: Premier League champions Abdukodir Khusanov’s nightmare start
If he digs back through the archives, Khusanov finds that he is not the first January signing to endure a torturous bow at the Etihad Stadium.
Indeed, he lasted longer in the game than former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, who was replaced at half-time in a derby at City 19 years ago.
He didn’t do too badly after that.
But, at just 20, with a professional career that has spanned just 70 games of senior football and a small handful of English caps, Khusanov needs time.
“It wasn’t the best start, but he’ll take a lesson,” Guardiola said. “He is very young and has come for many years. He did not make a training session with us. We came from Ipswich and PSG, so it was just recovery, recovery, recovery.
“I have to learn Russian or Uzbek to communicate with him because he doesn’t speak English fluently, but in that kind of situation, there’s not much to say. He knows he made a mistake. So I give him a I take you aside and what do you say?
Khusanov’s early mistake was to head the ball straight to Nicholas Jackson deep in City, who squared for Noni Madueke to finish.
When Chelsea next attacked, he regained possession in his own half and, desperate to make amends, cut down Cole Palmer and was booked. It was the earliest yellow card for a player on his Premier League debut since Lee Peltier for Cardiff against Bournemouth in 2018.
Redknapp said: “I thought (Abdukodir Khusanov’s play) was a bit of a risk. It’s less of a risk for (Omar) Marmous, but it’s a lot more difficult when you’re playing as a centre-back.
“I think Pep is thinking right now ‘I shouldn’t have played him’. It was a really difficult debut. Hopefully he’ll be a stronger player for it.”
City’s players offered their support and when Khusanov was replaced by John Stones nine minutes into the second half, an appreciative crowd responded.
“I didn’t make the substitution for the mistake,” Guardiola said. “I did it for the yellow card. Besides, I need John Stones on Wednesday.”
City need to beat Club Brugge to qualify for the play-offs when they play their final Champions League first-phase game on Wednesday.
Their other new recruits, Omar Marmoush and Vitor Reis, were not allowed to play in that match.
While teenager Reus watched the game from the dugout, Mermas also started and looked a threat, having a goal disallowed for offside and showing plenty of signs that his combination with Hield could be profitable.
“I’ve seen him in the Bundesliga,” Hong told BBC Match of the Day. “You can see he has something special and it’s going to be great playing with him.”
