Chelsea's record €121m signing Enzo Fernandez after his side's 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. AFP
Chelsea's record €121m signing Enzo Fernandez after his side's 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. AFP
Chelsea's record €121m signing Enzo Fernandez after his side's 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. AFP
Chelsea's record €121m signing Enzo Fernandez after his side's 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. AF

Sport

Football

Chelsea's €600m splurge has echoes of Real Madrid's misguided 'galacticos' era

Champions League defeat at Bernabeu shows London club's huge spending under Boehly failing both in Europe and at home

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey

April 14, 2023

  • English
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Tens of thousands of madridistas, those with two decades or so of loyalty stamps on their season tickets, departed the Bernabeu on Wednesday night having glimpsed a piece of their own past.

They had just watched a club bearing the weight of record spending on players look impotent in a Champions League knockout. They had heard some bravado from one of that club’s senior executives before kick-off.

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Frank Lampard believes 'door is open' for Chelsea to overturn Real Madrid tie

But these older Real Madrid fans could smile about it. The spectacular underachievers they had been watching was not their team but Chelsea. The boasts that soon assumed a very hollow ring had come from Todd Boehly, who heads the consortium that 10 months ago took ownership of the London club. He had forecast a 3-0 away win. Madrid finished as 2-0 winners of the first leg of the quarter-final.

Whatever calculations went into Boehly’s mistaken prediction, it was not recent form. Chelsea, under the fourth different head coach – including a caretaker, Bruno Saltor, and the current interim Frank Lampard – of Boehly’s short period in English football, have not scored any goals at all in their last six and half hours of trying.

It is one of the many poor returns on the €611m Chelsea have committed in transfer fees since last June.

Twenty years ago, Madrid were carrying around a similar reputation for extravagance. They spent the first years of the 21st century shattering individual transfer records. First on Luis Figo, then on Zinedine Zidane. But after that pair had featured in the victorious Champions League victory of 2002, Madrid’s hiring strategy lurched ahead with very little sense of balance.

Madrid teams of that era became known as the "galacticos", so starry were the names bought into the club, so many Ballon d’Or winners – Zidane, Figo, Brazil’s Ronaldo and England’s Micheal Owen – could they cram into the forward line.

REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 6. The Belgian made a decent save to prevent his team going behind in the second minute. Wasn’t really tested in the second half as Madrid took full control of the match. EPA
REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 6. The Belgian made a decent save to prevent his team going behind in the second minute. Wasn’t really tested in the second half as Madrid took full control of the match. EPA
Dani Carvajal - 6. He showed great vision to pick out Vinicius with a precise pass that led to the game’s opening goal. He later got into a needless scuffle with Kovacic and picked up a yellow card in the closing stages. Reuters
Dani Carvajal - 6. He showed great vision to pick out Vinicius with a precise pass that led to the game’s opening goal. He later got into a needless scuffle with Kovacic and picked up a yellow card in the closing stages. Reuters
Eduardo Camavinga - 7. Struggled against James in the first half but improved greatly in the second and got forward to good effect. Brought a James run to a halt with a brilliant sliding challenge on the hour mark. EPA
Eduardo Camavinga - 7. Struggled against James in the first half but improved greatly in the second and got forward to good effect. Brought a James run to a halt with a brilliant sliding challenge on the hour mark. EPA
Eder Militao - 8. Made a last-ditch block to stop Sterling from getting Chelsea back on level terms in the 23rd minute. Hardly put a foot wrong in the second half. AFP
Eder Militao - 8. Made a last-ditch block to stop Sterling from getting Chelsea back on level terms in the 23rd minute. Hardly put a foot wrong in the second half. AFP
David Alaba - 8. Displayed good recovery pace to get back and limit Felix’s space to do damage in the opening exchanges. Played in a dangerous cross that was punched into the path of Benzema in the 90th minute. AP
David Alaba - 8. Displayed good recovery pace to get back and limit Felix’s space to do damage in the opening exchanges. Played in a dangerous cross that was punched into the path of Benzema in the 90th minute. AP
Toni Kroos - 8. Was impeccable at the base of Real Madrid's midfield. He provided adequate cover for the defence, and helped kickstart attacks from deep. Reuters
Toni Kroos - 8. Was impeccable at the base of Real Madrid's midfield. He provided adequate cover for the defence, and helped kickstart attacks from deep. Reuters
Luka Modric - 7. Fizzed a decent cross into the penalty area in the 40th minute but Alaba failed to get the right connection to turn it home. Helped Real Madrid win the midfield battle. Getty
Luka Modric - 7. Fizzed a decent cross into the penalty area in the 40th minute but Alaba failed to get the right connection to turn it home. Helped Real Madrid win the midfield battle. Getty
Fede Valverde - 7. Stole the ball off the feet of Fofana and stung the palms of Kepa just before the break. Never stopped running in the second half and had a couple of pops at Kepa’s goal. EPA
Fede Valverde - 7. Stole the ball off the feet of Fofana and stung the palms of Kepa just before the break. Never stopped running in the second half and had a couple of pops at Kepa’s goal. EPA
Rodrygo - 7. Played a quick one-two with Benzema that ended with him forcing a save from Kepa with a shot from a tight angle. Responsible for Chilwell's red card, as he got pulled to the ground by the Englishman. EPA
Rodrygo - 7. Played a quick one-two with Benzema that ended with him forcing a save from Kepa with a shot from a tight angle. Responsible for Chilwell's red card, as he got pulled to the ground by the Englishman. EPA
Vinicius Junior - 9. Played a huge role in Benzema’s opener as Kepa parried his shot into the path of the Frenchman to tap home. Left Fofana in his wake and almost made it two but his attempt was cleared off the line in the 26th minute. Grabbed the assist for the second as he laid the ball on for Asensio to sweep home. Getty
Vinicius Junior - 9. Played a huge role in Benzema’s opener as Kepa parried his shot into the path of the Frenchman to tap home. Left Fofana in his wake and almost made it two but his attempt was cleared off the line in the 26th minute. Grabbed the assist for the second as he laid the ball on for Asensio to sweep home. Getty
Karim Benzema - 8. Decided to shoot when laying the ball off to Vinicius looked like the better option and was thwarted by Kepa in the 12th minute. Opened the scoring with a simple tap-in from close range after Kepa failed to hold on to Vinicius's attempt. EPA
Karim Benzema - 8. Decided to shoot when laying the ball off to Vinicius looked like the better option and was thwarted by Kepa in the 12th minute. Opened the scoring with a simple tap-in from close range after Kepa failed to hold on to Vinicius's attempt. EPA
SUBS: Marco Asensio (Rodrygo, 71) - N/A. Doubled Real Madrid’s lead with his first touch of the game with a shot from the edge of the penalty area into the far corner. Almost made it three ten minutes from time but his effort just flashed wide. AP
SUBS: Marco Asensio (Rodrygo, 71) - N/A. Doubled Real Madrid’s lead with his first touch of the game with a shot from the edge of the penalty area into the far corner. Almost made it three ten minutes from time but his effort just flashed wide. AP
Antonio Rudiger (Camavinga, 71) - N/A. Made a goal-saving block in the second minute of extra time and celebrated as if he'd just scored a goal. Getty
Antonio Rudiger (Camavinga, 71) - N/A. Made a goal-saving block in the second minute of extra time and celebrated as if he'd just scored a goal. Getty
Dani Ceballos (Modric, 81) - N/A. His ball-retaining ability under pressure was on full display as Real tried to hold on to the ball in the closing stages. AP
Dani Ceballos (Modric, 81) - N/A. His ball-retaining ability under pressure was on full display as Real tried to hold on to the ball in the closing stages. AP
Aurelien Tchouameni (Kroos, 84) - N/A. Helped Real see out the game with minimal fuss. Getty
Aurelien Tchouameni (Kroos, 84) - N/A. Helped Real see out the game with minimal fuss. Getty
CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6. Was the busier of the goalkeepers in the first half as he made five saves and also got a hand to Vinicius's attempt that fell into the path of Benzema for the opener. Couldn’t have done anything to stop Asensio’s goal in the second half. Getty
CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6. Was the busier of the goalkeepers in the first half as he made five saves and also got a hand to Vinicius's attempt that fell into the path of Benzema for the opener. Couldn’t have done anything to stop Asensio’s goal in the second half. Getty
Wesley Fofana - 5. Picked up the first yellow card of the match for a foul on Vinicius in the fourth minute. Allowed Vinicius to get past him too easily on the half hour mark. AFP
Wesley Fofana - 5. Picked up the first yellow card of the match for a foul on Vinicius in the fourth minute. Allowed Vinicius to get past him too easily on the half hour mark. AFP
Thiago Silva - 7. Put all his years of experience to good use as he delayed a run and cleared Vinicius's attempt off the line in the 26th minute. Made several blocks in the second half as Real Madrid piled on the pressure. AFP
Thiago Silva - 7. Put all his years of experience to good use as he delayed a run and cleared Vinicius's attempt off the line in the 26th minute. Made several blocks in the second half as Real Madrid piled on the pressure. AFP
Kalidou Koulibaly - 6. Displayed excellent pace and strength to shield Rodrygo off the ball and stop him from running through on goal just after the break. However, he had to leave the pitch a few minutes later with an injury. Getty
Kalidou Koulibaly - 6. Displayed excellent pace and strength to shield Rodrygo off the ball and stop him from running through on goal just after the break. However, he had to leave the pitch a few minutes later with an injury. Getty
Reece James - 6. Whipped in a fantastic cross that Sterling failed to get a proper connection on in the 23rd minute. Had a hard time dealing with the threat of Vinicius throughout. AFP
Reece James - 6. Whipped in a fantastic cross that Sterling failed to get a proper connection on in the 23rd minute. Had a hard time dealing with the threat of Vinicius throughout. AFP
Ben Chilwell - 5. Wasn’t as adventurous as usual in the first half but he did a great job of keeping Rodrygo quiet. Undid all of his good work by needlessly pulling Rodrygo down as the Blues' last man and picking up a red card. Reuters
Ben Chilwell - 5. Wasn’t as adventurous as usual in the first half but he did a great job of keeping Rodrygo quiet. Undid all of his good work by needlessly pulling Rodrygo down as the Blues' last man and picking up a red card. Reuters
Enzo Fernandez - 6. Sat deep and went on few attacking forays, but still failed to do enough to protect the backline. EPA
Enzo Fernandez - 6. Sat deep and went on few attacking forays, but still failed to do enough to protect the backline. EPA
Mateo Kovacic - 6. Worked hard alongside Enzo but Real Madrid’s midfield just seemed a cut above Chelsea's. AP
Mateo Kovacic - 6. Worked hard alongside Enzo but Real Madrid’s midfield just seemed a cut above Chelsea's. AP
N'Golo Kante - 6. Played Felix in on goal with a delightful pass in the second minute. Started the game brightly and found his teammates in dangerous positions but his influence waned as the game went on. AFP
N'Golo Kante - 6. Played Felix in on goal with a delightful pass in the second minute. Started the game brightly and found his teammates in dangerous positions but his influence waned as the game went on. AFP
Raheem Sterling - 5. Failed to get a proper connection when James played a tantalising cross into his path in the first half. Struggled to get involved in the game, and he was subbed off in the second half. EPA
Raheem Sterling - 5. Failed to get a proper connection when James played a tantalising cross into his path in the first half. Struggled to get involved in the game, and he was subbed off in the second half. EPA
Joao Felix - 6. Had the first real chance of the game when he got played through by Kante in the second minute but Courtois was equal to his shot. Began the second half in the same vein as he had the first attempt of the half with a shot that was straight at the former Chelsea keeper. EPA
Joao Felix - 6. Had the first real chance of the game when he got played through by Kante in the second minute but Courtois was equal to his shot. Began the second half in the same vein as he had the first attempt of the half with a shot that was straight at the former Chelsea keeper. EPA
SUBS: Marc Cucurella (Koulibaly, 55) - 6. Impeded illegally by Militao when he looked to run through a play a cross into the box late in the game. Played a dangerous cross into the area that led to Mount’s late chance. AP
SUBS: Marc Cucurella (Koulibaly, 55) - 6. Impeded illegally by Militao when he looked to run through a play a cross into the box late in the game. Played a dangerous cross into the area that led to Mount’s late chance. AP
Kai Havertz (Sterling, 65) - 5. Worked hard after coming on but he was well dealt with by the duo of Militao and Alaba in Madrid’s defence. Getty
Kai Havertz (Sterling, 65) - 5. Worked hard after coming on but he was well dealt with by the duo of Militao and Alaba in Madrid’s defence. Getty
Trevoh Chalobah (Felix, 65) - 6. Did well to block a Vinicius shot in the 84th minute. Helped Chelsea see out the game without conceding a tie-ending third. Getty
Trevoh Chalobah (Felix, 65) - 6. Did well to block a Vinicius shot in the 84th minute. Helped Chelsea see out the game without conceding a tie-ending third. Getty
Conor Gallagher (Kante, 75) - N/A. Was a willing runner after coming on and won the ball back a number of times. AP
Conor Gallagher (Kante, 75) - N/A. Was a willing runner after coming on and won the ball back a number of times. AP
Mason Mount (Silva, 76) - N/A. Denied what looked like a certain goal with a last-ditch block from Rudiger in the third minute of extra time. AP
Mason Mount (Silva, 76) - N/A. Denied what looked like a certain goal with a last-ditch block from Rudiger in the third minute of extra time. AP

Yet as the front half of the team became ever more stellar, and coaches flitted in and out of the club, Madrid’s runs in the Champions League became shorter and shorter.

Between 2004 and 2010 they were unable to go beyond the last-16 stage. At times, their recruitment looked not just haphazard – focusing on attack, neglecting defence – but comically clumsy. At one point Madrid signed too many players in a winter to get them all registered with Uefa for the Champions League.

Chelsea did the same this year. And how. Seven newcomers came into the club during Boehly’s great winter splurge. Only three could be added to the squad for European games, and so Enzo Fernandez, the most costly purchase at around €120 from Benfica, Mykhailo Mudryk, an initial €70m from Shakhtar Donetsk, and Joao Felix, who is only on loan from Atletico Madrid, were registered.

To include them Chelsea had to cut Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who only joined last September and has scored more career goals in European club competitions than anybody else on the club’s swollen roster.

Since Chelsea won the Champions League in 2021, with Thomas Tuchel as head coach, the decline has shifted from gradual to ever sharper. They sit in the bottom half of the Premier League. The slump in Europe could very soon look far worse than that of Madrid’s galacticos.

The only viable route to Chelsea being in next season’s Champions League is to qualify as holders. And going into the Stamford Bridge leg of their quarter-final two goals down to Madrid is hardly the best platform for that.

“We’re realistic,” admitted Lampard after the first leg, “but we want to change the tone, change the story.”

He wished the first leg story had been different in moments besides the sending off of Ben Chilwell, Chelsea down to 10 men when they conceded the second goal. A late Mason Mount effort would be brilliantly blocked. “Mason’s chance might go in, and the tie feels completely different,” Lampard speculated.

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the first goal in the 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on April 12, 2023. Getty
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the first goal in the 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on April 12, 2023. Getty
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal with Vinicius Junior. Reuters
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal with Vinicius Junior. Reuters
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid scores their first goal as Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea looks on. Getty
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid scores their first goal as Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea looks on. Getty
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema scores the opening goal. AP
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema scores the opening goal. AP
Marco Asensio of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the second goal. Getty
Marco Asensio of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the second goal. Getty
Real Madrid players celebrate Marco Asensio's goal. Getty
Real Madrid players celebrate Marco Asensio's goal. Getty
Chelsea's Ben Chilwell fouls Real Madrid's Rodrygo on the edge of the box before being shown a red card. Reuters
Chelsea's Ben Chilwell fouls Real Madrid's Rodrygo on the edge of the box before being shown a red card. Reuters
Chelsea's Ben Chillwell is shown a red card by referee Francois Letexier. EPA
Chelsea's Ben Chillwell is shown a red card by referee Francois Letexier. EPA
Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and defender David Alaba react after the keeper made a save from Raheem Sterling. EPA
Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and defender David Alaba react after the keeper made a save from Raheem Sterling. EPA
Kalidou Koulibaly of Chelsea leaves the field after picking up an injury. Getty
Kalidou Koulibaly of Chelsea leaves the field after picking up an injury. Getty
Chelsea forward Joao Felix shoots as Real Madrid's Eder Militao tries to close him down. AFP
Chelsea forward Joao Felix shoots as Real Madrid's Eder Militao tries to close him down. AFP
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana battles with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior. AFP
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana battles with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior. AFP
Chelsea's Raheem Sterling and Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga. AFP
Chelsea's Raheem Sterling and Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga. AFP
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in action against Chelsea's Wesley Fofana. EPA
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in action against Chelsea's Wesley Fofana. EPA
Real Madrid's Toni Kroos tangles with Chelsea's Joao Felix. Reuters
Real Madrid's Toni Kroos tangles with Chelsea's Joao Felix. Reuters
Chelsea's caretaker manager Frank Lampard greets Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti. AP
Chelsea's caretaker manager Frank Lampard greets Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti. AP
Chelsea's Reece James stretches as he attempts to block a shot from Real Madrid's Karim Benzema. AFP
Chelsea's Reece James stretches as he attempts to block a shot from Real Madrid's Karim Benzema. AFP
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior tries to pass the ball as Chelsea's Wesley Fofana defends in the penalty box. AP
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior tries to pass the ball as Chelsea's Wesley Fofana defends in the penalty box. AP
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti before the match. Reuters
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti before the match. Reuters
Chelsea's Joao Felix rues a missed chance. PA
Chelsea's Joao Felix rues a missed chance. PA
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema battles against Chelsea's Thiago Silva. EPA
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema battles against Chelsea's Thiago Silva. EPA
Real Madrid's Fede Valverde has a shot. EPA
Real Madrid's Fede Valverde has a shot. EPA
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti juggles the ball on the touchline. Getty
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti juggles the ball on the touchline. Getty
Chelsea's Reece James has a shot. AFP
Chelsea's Reece James has a shot. AFP
Real Madrid's Rodrygo and Chelsea's Thiago Silva compete. AFP
Real Madrid's Rodrygo and Chelsea's Thiago Silva compete. AFP
Chelsea Kepa Arrizabalaga collects the ball under pressure. AFP
Chelsea Kepa Arrizabalaga collects the ball under pressure. AFP
Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly wins the ball in the air. AFP
Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly wins the ball in the air. AFP
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti gestures on the touchline as Rodrygo lies prone. AP
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti gestures on the touchline as Rodrygo lies prone. AP

He would have noted who made the athletic block to deny Mount: Antonio Rudiger, a defender who left Chelsea last summer.

Lampard may also have spotted than while Wesley Fofana, the defender signed by Boehly’s Chelsea for more than €80m was struggling against Madrid, a young centre-back Chelsea let go in 2021, Fikayo Tomori, was helping to steer AC Milan to an advantage – and to a third successive clean sheet in Europe – in their quarter-final against Napoli.

Lampard will have noted, too, that Inter Milan on Tuesday stretched their first-leg win over Benfica to 2-0 thanks to a goal from Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku is only on loan at Inter. He is still owned by Chelsea, who paid around €115m for him less than two years ago – a time before that scale of fee became their norm and before their goalscoring crisis stretched across several changes of manager.

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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

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China

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UAE

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Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

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Australia

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Saudi Arabia

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South Korea
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Premier League results

Saturday

Crystal Palace 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2

Cardiff City 2 West Ham United 0

Huddersfield Town 0 Bournemouth 2

Leicester City 3 Fulham 1

Newcastle United 3 Everton 2

Southampton 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Manchester City 3 Watford 1

Sunday

Liverpool 4 Burnley 2

Chelsea 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

Arsenal 2 Manchester United 0

 

Our coronavirus coverage
The biog

Marital status: Separated with two young daughters

Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo

Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian

Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness

Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS

2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

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THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

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)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The currency conundrum

Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”

Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support," says Mr Mould.

This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.

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On Women's Day
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come

Roll of Honour

Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?

 

Western Clubs Champions League

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Bahrain

 

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Exiles

Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

 

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons

Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

 

UAE Premiership Cup

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Dubai Exiles

 

Fixtures

Friday

West Asia Cup final

5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles

 

West Asia Trophy final

3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles

 

Friday, April 13

UAE Premiership final

5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

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F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Wallabies

Updated team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-Dane Haylett-Petty, 13-Reece Hodge, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Kurtley Beale, 9-Will Genia, 8-Pete Samu, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Lukhan Tui, 5-Adam Coleman, 4-Rory Arnold, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16-Folau Faingaa, 17-Tom Robertson, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Izack Rodda, 20-Ned Hanigan, 21-Joe Powell, 22-Bernard Foley, 23-Jack Maddocks.

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E470hp%2C%20338kW%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20620Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh491%2C500%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More coverage from the Future Forum
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
While you're here
THE DETAILS

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Dir: Ron Howard

Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson

3/5

If%20you%20go
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20regular%20flights%20from%20Dubai%20to%20Kathmandu.%20Fares%20with%20Air%20Arabia%20and%20flydubai%20start%20at%20Dh1%2C265.%3Cbr%3EIn%20Kathmandu%2C%20rooms%20at%20the%20Oasis%20Kathmandu%20Hotel%20start%20at%20Dh195%20and%20Dh120%20at%20Hotel%20Ganesh%20Himal.%3Cbr%3EThird%20Rock%20Adventures%20offers%20professionally%20run%20group%20and%20individual%20treks%20and%20tours%20using%20highly%20experienced%20guides%20throughout%20Nepal%2C%20Bhutan%20and%20other%20parts%20of%20the%20Himalayas.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Profile

Name: JustClean

Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries

Launch year: 2016

Number of employees: 130

Sector: online laundry service

Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding

On Women's Day
UAE currency
Updated: April 14, 2023, 6:00 AM`
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