Chelsea are showing an interest in signing RC Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov in this transfer window, but face competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Manchester City.
Abdukodir Khusanov, 20, is earning rave reviews for his strong displays with RC Lens in Ligue 1 this season. The youngster, who arrived from Energetik-BGU in the summer of 2023, has become a mainstay at the back for RC Lens. The Uzbekistan international has been scouted by several clubs with Lens bracing for bids this month.
Chelsea are reportedly among the clubs keen to add Khusanov to their defensive ranks. Lens are open to selling him along with fellow centre-back Kevin Danso; although they remain uncertain whether they would let go off both players.
Khusanov is viewed as a vital player by manager Will Still and has a contract until 2027, so the Ligue 1 remain in strong negotiating position amid interest from a host of European clubs.
Chelsea join transfer race for Abdukodir Khusanov
Chelsea have not been hesitant to splash the cash in the transfer market under Todd Boehly and their summer transfer business was another proof of that. Upon the arrival of Enzo Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s new head coach in June, the Pensioners reinforced all the positions.
Enzo Maresca’s side have defied all the odds and are now pushing for a Champions League spot. However, they have not been at their best in recent games and struggled defensively. Maresca does have a pool of centre-backs but a mix of injuries and inconsistency have led to a lot of chopping and changing of personnel at the back.
With Wesley Fofana injury prone, Benoit Badiashile currently on the treatment table and Axel Disasi extremely inconsistent, it isn’t surprising that Chelsea are eyeing a central defender in this window. Khusanov, viewed as one of the brightest young defensive talents in European football, has emerged as a target for the Blues.
The Tashkent-born talent is blessed with a mixture of pace, physicality, power and technical skills. The youngster’s turn of pace allows him to make recovery runs and mop up things at the back, which is something Maresca’s side would love to him. Khusanov also has a matured head on young and inexperienced shoulders, and at 20 years old, he fits the profile of signings the West Londoners have made in the last couple of years.
If Chelsea could lure the Lens star to Stamford Bridge, he would become the first player from Uzbekistan to play in the Premier League. Highly rated and with the potential to become one of the best in his position in the world, Khusanov would be a sensational signing for Chelsea.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
