Abdukodir Khusanov, Lens' defensive rock

A true revelation in the RC Lens defense, Abdukodir Khusanov has taken advantage of Kevin Danso's absence to show his many qualities. With  Khusanov its new "monster", RC Lens have the joint-best defense in Ligue 1 McDonald's. 

Fifth in Ligue 1 McDonald's with 14 points, Lens have only conceded 6 goals since the start of the season, which allows them to remain at the top of the rankings despite a less effective attack (9 goals scored) that has deprived them of a win recently. 

In the meantime, the Artois club is relying on its rearguard. "We try to press, to be high, to corner the opponent, maybe they have fewer solutions," commented goalkeeper and captain Brice Samba. "We are looking for efficiency in both penalty areas, and offensively, at the moment, it is eluding us a little. It's a shame, because we are solid."

In the middle of the three-man defense sits Abdukodir Khusanov, who, at only 20 years old, has taken on another dimension in recent weeks. The international, the first Uzbek to play in Ligue 1 McDonald's, replaced the Austrian rock Kevin Danso, who returned after an absence from the 3rd to the 7th matchday, without Lens losing any of his quality.

Almost never caught out by opposing attackers, the calm defender of 1.86 meters (for 84 kg) very often dominates his opponent physically, and has added another asset to his game: anticipation. Often well placed, he is the player who has made the most interceptions since the start of the season in the championship (17), tied with the Parisian Willian Pacho and Marseille's Pierre-Emile Hojberg.

"He scares me"

This is also to the point of impressing Will Still: "He's calm, powerful, he's fast... He doesn't talk but he's good. (...) When I arrived, with the departure of "Kev'" in sight, Jean-Louis Leca (sports coordinator, Editor's note) told me: "Don't worry, there's "Kodir" who is here, and he's ready." He wasn't wrong. He has very, very impressive potential."

Having arrived from Belarus in the summer of 2023, Khusanov had played some good first minutes during his first season, full of energy and desire. But he had also hit his glass ceiling against Arsenal (6-0), in London, in the Champions League, causing a penalty with a crude elbow and a handball.

Since then, he has continued to improve, to the point of impressing Brice Samba, who was full of praise for him on the evening of the match against OGC Nice (0-0) at the end of September. "He's a monster, what he did again tonight... He scares me. No, really! For his age, what he does..."

Upon his arrival in Pas-de-Calais, the Tashkent native came up against the French language barrier, which he did not speak, nor English, making communication with his teammates difficult. Today, he is not much more talkative. It's not in his nature. Except on the pitch, with big shoulder blows or incisive tackles.

"His best friend is (Ecuadorian) Jhoanner Chavez, I have no idea how they communicate," laughs Will Still. "He's great, open. He takes French lessons with those who have to. We're moving forward."

With Danso back, the Lens coach will now have to choose between the rock of old or his rising star. Unless he lines them up together? That's the solution he chose on the last day, relegating Jonathan Gradit to the bench, with a victory to his name. 

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