Uzbek defender enters Champions League top-10 for speed
Sport
Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov has entered the top ten fastest players in the current Champions League, outrunning several of Europe’s star forwards.
Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov continues to build his reputation as one of Europe’s fastest footballers. According to the CIES Football Observatory, the Uzbek defender reached a top speed of 35.8 km/h, placing eighth in the speed rankings of the current UEFA Champions League campaign.
He became the fastest centre-back in the tournament and surpassed several high-profile attackers. Among those behind him are Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé (35.67 km/h), Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike (34.91), and his Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland (34.87). Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon leads the list with 37.92 km/h.
January was also successful for Khusanov at club level. He played eight matches for City, kept three clean sheets with the team, and was named the club’s Player of the Month.
Head coach Pep Guardiola has repeatedly highlighted the defender’s pace as his key strength. According to him, in terms of physicality and dynamism on the flank, Khusanov resembles Kyle Walker in his prime. After the transfer from Lens, Guardiola said the player’s ability to quickly transition from defense to attack was one of the main reasons for the signing.
Khusanov’s speed has stood out since childhood. His first coach, Sergey Chigodayev, recalled that even at the age of seven he displayed natural sprinting ability. Midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullayev has also called him the fastest footballer in the country.
Before moving to Manchester City, Khusanov gained attention on social media for his sprints at Lens, where he once reached 37 km/h in a French league match.
His pace allows him to perform effectively both in central defense and on the right flank. Competition remains strong, however: Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven previously set a Premier League record with a speed of 37.38 km/h.
He became the fastest centre-back in the tournament and surpassed several high-profile attackers. Among those behind him are Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé (35.67 km/h), Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike (34.91), and his Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland (34.87). Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon leads the list with 37.92 km/h.
January was also successful for Khusanov at club level. He played eight matches for City, kept three clean sheets with the team, and was named the club’s Player of the Month.
Head coach Pep Guardiola has repeatedly highlighted the defender’s pace as his key strength. According to him, in terms of physicality and dynamism on the flank, Khusanov resembles Kyle Walker in his prime. After the transfer from Lens, Guardiola said the player’s ability to quickly transition from defense to attack was one of the main reasons for the signing.
Khusanov’s speed has stood out since childhood. His first coach, Sergey Chigodayev, recalled that even at the age of seven he displayed natural sprinting ability. Midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullayev has also called him the fastest footballer in the country.
Before moving to Manchester City, Khusanov gained attention on social media for his sprints at Lens, where he once reached 37 km/h in a French league match.
His pace allows him to perform effectively both in central defense and on the right flank. Competition remains strong, however: Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven previously set a Premier League record with a speed of 37.38 km/h.
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