'Will leave': Director says £25m defender Chelsea and Man City really want to sign is now set for January exit
Yesterday at 03:55 AM
Chelsea and Manchester City are two clubs in particular who must do everything in their power to ensure their squads are in the best possible shape by the end of the winter window.
For Enzo Maresca, finishing in the top four is imperative at the very least, considering they have largely competed for the Premier League title this campaign.
Finishing outside the Champions League places would spell a disaster for a Chelsea side who have taken significant steps forward under Maresca.
As for Manchester City, the lowest they have finished under Pep Guardiola is in third place and the sky-high standards at the Etihad Stadium deem Europa League football as rock bottom.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 1 | LiverpoolLiverpool | 18 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 45 | 17 | 28 | 45 |
| 2 | ArsenalArsenal | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 38 | 17 | 21 | 39 |
| 3 | Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 19 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 26 | 19 | 7 | 37 |
| 4 | ChelseaChelsea | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 38 | 23 | 15 | 35 |
| 5 | NewcastleNewcastle | 19 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 32 | 21 | 11 | 32 |
| 6 | Man CityManchester City | 19 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 32 | 26 | 6 | 31 |
TBR Football recently revealed that Manchester City and Chelsea eye Abdukodir Khusanov as a January signing, joining the likes of Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur amongst his long list of English suitors.
Khusanov is valued at £25 million and since heading to RC Lens, he has been a revelation. However, Lens managing director Pierre Dreossi provided an update about the 20-year-old’s future.
Chelsea and Man City target Abdukodir Khusanov is set for Lens exit
Speaking to DAZN France ahead of Lens’ 1-0 defeat against Toulouse, Dreossi confirmed that Khusanov will leave the Stade Bollaert-Delelis this month.
“[Abdukodir] Khusanov will leave, there haven't been any good bids yet. There will be departures and arrivals. We will have more than enough quality players to qualify for Europe."
“If he is to leave and if the bids are interesting enough, above all, it's about finding an economic balance.”
The Uzbekistan international has especially made waves in Ligue 1 due to his frightening pace, notably when he made a 37 km/h dart against Rennes in December to make a last-ditch challenge.
Khusanov’s pace and aggressive approach to defending are factors that make him one of the most exciting young defenders in the game.
Abdukodir Khusanov named “one of the best” in Europe
On Saturday, Gairat Khasbiullin, Khusanov’s representative sang his praises during an interview with The Mirror.
“Abdukodir is a player who has already shown that he is one of the best in his position in Europe. He is young and every day he becomes even stronger.”
Notably, Khasbiullin also stated that his client deserves to play for the best teams in Europe, effectively green-lighting a move to clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City.
“He deserves to play in the best clubs in Europe. We have a very good relationship with Lens and we are on the same side, we want the best for the player together If the transfer is successful, the club will receive a well-deserved reward for trusting the young player.”
As Khusanov seems ready to take the next step in his career, whether Chelsea or Manchester City sign him will be intriguing to see.
