Pep Guardiola suggests Manchester City have signed a regen of one of their best ever players for less than £40m

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has compared one of his relatively recent new signings to one of the club’s greatest ever players.

The Citizens have been very busy on the transfer front this year, with plenty of new signings in January and over the summer.

At the same time, Manchester City have bid farewell to several club legends, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker leaving.

Pep Guardiola, speaking ahead of Man City’s Carabao Cup meeting with Huddersfield Town, claimed one of his players reminds him of Walker.

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Pep Guardiola compares Abdukodir Khusanov to Kyle Walker

City annoyed a lot of fans this year by not signing a new right-back, but Abdukodir Khusanov has been doing well in that position.

The £33.5million man has started at right-back for City against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal, and he fared well in each of those games.

Indeed, City did not look as comfortable defensively after Khusanov was forced off with injury against Mikel Arteta’s side.

And Guardiola was buzzing with what Khusanov brings to the team, likening some of his traits to those of a prime Walker.

“He can play central, can play all positions in the back line except left back, I would say,” Guardiola told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

“His sight is unbelievable, solid, stable, physicality, like Kyle [Walker] in his prime. He has incredible focus, wants to learn. He’s been really, really good.”

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Walker spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan before sealing a £5million move to fellow Premier League side Burnley in the summer.

Who could replace Abdukodir Khusanov against Huddersfield

While Guardiola sung Khusanov’s praises, he didn’t provide an injury update on the defender.

However, even if Khusanov were to recover in time for the Huddersfield game, Guardiola most likely will not risk him.

With that in mind, there’s a good chance either Matheus Nunes or Rico Lewis will start at right-back against the Terriers.

Nunes is probably the likelier option, as Lewis could potentially be tasked with playing in place of Tijjani Reijnders in midfield.