The start of any season invariably generates a flurry of facts, many concerning the newcomers, but there is one case of continuity that is as startling as any statistics about change.
Cesc Fabregas is ready for 'difficult path' with Barcelona
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Comment:
Besides invention, Arsenal will miss Cesc Fabregas' courage.
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Chelsea
left frustrated by Stoke's Begovic.
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Sergio Aguero
become Man City's instant hero.
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Of the 16 teams in action over the Premier League's first weekend, only one named a starting XI and seven substitutes who were all at the club the previous season. The paragons of stability?
Chelsea.
It does not sound right, and in a way it is not. Their debutant was in the dugout, Andre Villas-Boas, overseeing a stalemate at
Stoke City.
But the generalisation at Chelsea has been that the players stay the same while the manager sits in an ejector seat.
It is a reason to doubt if the precocious Portuguese can be the revolutionary force his age (33) and remarkable track record suggests, he is.
If Chelsea resembled his predecessors' side, it is little wonder. This is a recipe with the same ingredients. The closest thing to a galactico their summer has produced is the £13.2 million (Dh78.3m) manager.
There is no flagship signing, even if, in Oriol Romeu, there is an addition who may define the ethos of Villas-Boas. That is a heavy responsibility for a teenager with a solitary league game to his name for
Barcelona.
Because of the Under 20 World Cup, Romeu was not at the Britannia Stadium, but his recruitment indicates Villas-Boas wants a more progressive passer than John Obi Mikel to anchor his midfield.
The Nigerian showed belated signs of ambition against Stoke, spreading play impressively once to find Florent Malouda, but his excellent pass completion rate (87 per cent on Sunday) tends to be a consequence of a safety-first approach.
Likewise, he almost broke the deadlock with a well-struck volley, but it is telling his 116-game league career is yet to yield a goal. If a quicker tempo in possession and more positive intent figure high on the new manager's wish list, Mikel appears ill-suited to his style of football.
The shame, perhaps, is that the gifted Josh McEachran remained an unused substitute, although Villas-Boas would be far from alone if he decided that a trip to Stoke was a fixture for more battle hardened competitors.
In attack, the understandable focus on the battle between Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba for the striker's spot, won by the Spaniard, obscured the fact Chelsea have less enticing options on either side.
Villas-Boas lamented his side's first-half inability to play with greater width, especially against a Stoke side who habitually defend narrowly.
Yet his new charges do not have out-and-out wingers; Malouda, quietly their top scorer last season, at least shows similarities on the left but, as Carlo Ancelotti discovered when he attempted to play 4-4-2 last season, these players are strangers to the right touchline. They ended up looking lopsided.
Salomon Kalou started in what has been Nicolas Anelka's role, ostensibly on the right, without convincing.
Perhaps Romelu Lukaku, though another centre-forward, could serve his apprenticeship in a wider role.
Maybe Daniel Sturridge, who flourished in pre-season but is banned for the first three games of the actual campaign, could cut in from the right to offer goals.
Neither, however, is anything like an out-and-out winger.
It was a source of disappointment to Villas-Boas that, to use his choice of verb, Chelsea lumped the ball forwards too often before the break. It has been a default tactic, and a decent one, when Drogba patrols the attack but his demotion also hinted at a change to the style of play.
If Villas-Boas wants to play through or around opponents, instead of taking the aerial approach, it heightens the need for a playmaker and a winger.
While Luka Modric has been targeted all summer, the quest for the former is ongoing, though the untried Romeu and McEachran may be cheaper alternatives, but since the departures of Damien Duff and Arjen Robben, natural wide men have been an unknown at Stamford Bridge.
Since then, ever unchanging, Chelsea's sense of permanence on the pitch has been a genuine strength. But, perhaps, no longer.
>>>
In one sense, it was the least newsworthy fixture of the weekend. In another, Aston Villa's 0-0 draw at Fulham offered some encouragement after a traumatic year in the Midlands.
It will take much more than a point at Craven Cottage to win over fans upset by the appointment of a former Birmingham City manager, not least one who was relegated last season, but Alex McLeish's Blues had a better defensive record than Villa last term.
And in Shay Given, the Scot has signed arguably the Premier League's finest shot stopper. The Irishman's reflexes were shown with a point-blank stop from Bobby Zamora to earn the draw. He might prove the buy of the summer.
>>>
The contrasting exits of Queens Park Rangers' full-backs in their 4-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers were sad but, in their own way, predictable.
That Kieron Dyer was injured after two-and-a-half minutes was desperately unfortunate but, for a player who has completed the 90 minutes once in three years in the Premier League, no great shock.
That Clint Hill collected the 12th red card of his career for a bizarre butt at Martin Petrov's stomach was little less surprising.
sports@thenational.ae
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
%3Cp%3EGoogle%20wasn't%20new%20to%20busting%20out%20April%20Fool's%20jokes%3A%20before%20the%20Gmail%20%22prank%22%2C%20it%20tricked%20users%20with%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fmentalplex%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Emind-reading%20MentalPlex%20responses%3C%2Fa%3E%20and%20said%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fpigeonrank%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3E%20well-fed%20pigeons%20were%20running%20its%20search%20engine%20operations%3C%2Fa%3E%20.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIn%20subsequent%20years%2C%20they%20announced%20home%20internet%20services%20through%20your%20toilet%20with%20its%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Ftisp%2Finstall.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Epatented%20GFlush%20system%3C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%20made%20us%20believe%20the%20Moon's%20surface%20was%20made%20of%20cheese%20and%20unveiled%20a%20dating%20service%20in%20which%20they%20called%20founders%20Sergey%20Brin%20and%20Larry%20Page%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fromance%2Fpress.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3EStanford%20PhD%20wannabes%3C%2Fa%3E%20%22.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBut%20Gmail%20was%20all%20too%20real%2C%20purportedly%20inspired%20by%20one%20%E2%80%93%20a%20single%20%E2%80%93%20Google%20user%20complaining%20about%20the%20%22poor%20quality%20of%20existing%20email%20services%22%20and%20born%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fgooglepress.blogspot.com%2F2004%2F04%2Fgoogle-gets-message-launches-gmail.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Emillions%20of%20M%26amp%3BMs%20later%3C%2Fa%3E%22.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
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- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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UAE%20Warriors%20fight%20card
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan