Pep Guardiola has backed Man City newcomer Abdukodir Khusanov to learn from a difficult debut against Chelsea in which he was at fault for the Blues' third-minute goal, after Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said it was a mistake to start.
Guardiola gave two of his three new players a starting start at the Etihad Stadium, with fellow new signing Omar Marmoush also making a full debut while Victor Reis was an unused substitute.
The 20-year-old defender made a terrible start to life at City as he gifted Chelsea a goal and was shown a yellow card within the first six minutes.
Khusanov, who cost City £33.6million – 18 months after Lens paid £84,000 to sign him from Belarusian side Energetik-BGU – speaks very little English and has had only a few training sessions with his new team-mates, and saw certainly looks like a man who was thrown into the deep end before gradually calming down.
Khusanov started the second half but was replaced by John Stones in the 52nd minute and received a hug from Guardiola and his teammates.
“I said before the game that I thought it was a risk to start him,” said Redknapp.
“For Marmoush the risk is less. When you play as a central defender it is a lot more difficult, with the risk and the pressure on you.
“I think Pep will now say: 'I shouldn't have played against him.' He is 20 years old, he just came to the country, the team has no confidence whatsoever as a defensive unit, you have Matheus Nunes as a right back.
“It's not like the team is winning week in, week out. Last year it would have been an easy job. But this season it's a lot harder. I think it was a mistake to put him in an environment like this today.” places.”
“After he made the first mistakes, he got better. But it was a very difficult day for him. I hope it won't hurt him in the long run. Hopefully he learns from it and becomes a stronger and better player. “
“Those first fifteen to twenty minutes were tough. I felt sorry for him.”
Guardiola admitted his new defender had a difficult debut but believes it will make him a better player in the longer term.
He said: “He doesn't speak English so I haven't spoken to him! He'll be fine.
“He has only had one or two training sessions. I didn't want to push John [Stones] from injuries. I need it on Wednesday [against Club Brugge in City’s crucial Champions League match].
“He will learn. He is aware of what happened. How the players were with him was extremely important. Any player can make a mistake. If you feel alone afterwards, it is even more difficult.”
'He's still so young. He has been coming for many years. He'll learn.'
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