Man City star with 99% pass accuracy in Champions League might have solved problem position

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Manchester City spent millions this summer to rectify key positions after last season’s drop-off, but one area went untouched.

City signed Tijjani Reijnders to support Rodri, while Rayan Cherki arrived following Kevin De Bruyne’s departure. Rayan Ait-Nouri was secured from Wolves to offer left-back cover, with Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford overhauling the goalkeeper department.

However, City did not enter the market for a right-back, despite letting former captain Kyle Walker depart on a permanent deal to Burnley.

Pep Guardiola used a combination of Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes at right-back last season, with Abdukodir Khusanov and Manuel Akanji also deployed out of position at times.

Abdukodir Khusanov records incredible statistics against Napoli in Champions League

Rico Lewis has signed a new contract at Manchester City, yet it is January signing Abdukodir Khusanov who has the right-back place at present. The Uzbekistan international has started against Manchester United and Napoli this week, helping City keep back-to-back clean sheets.

Against Napoli, Khusanov recorded an incredible 99 per cent pass accuracy with 78 passes completed and just one failing to find a teammate.

Abdukodir Khusanov statistics vs Napoli (Source: Fotmob)

• Minutes played: 90
• Touches: 93
• Tackles: 2
• Passes: 78/79
• Pass accuracy: 99%
• Defensive contributions: 5
• Interceptions: 2

Only two players (Rodri and Ruben Dias) completed more passes in the game, while Khusanov’s eight passes into the final third was also the third highest tally in the game.

Khusanov also made five defensive contributions, two tackles and two interceptions as City got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start against the Italian champions.

Pep Guardiola has already explained why Abdukodir Khusanov won’t be a full-time right-back

Khusanov, with his electric pace, is a fan favourite at City, and has previously played at right-back against Real Madrid last season.

However, while fans hope that he could be a long-term solution at right-back, Pep Guardiola doesn’t agree.

“We have to play every three days; no human being can do that,” Guardiola explained after Khusanov’s impressive display against Manchester United.

“I know for his physicality, he’s so fast and closed that [right] side really well. [He didn’t] lose too many balls, sometimes his energy makes him make not the right decision. Today he was really good.”