Liverpool's Sadio Mane after being fouled by Andreas Christensen of Chelsea. Mane had a fine game, scoring both goals in the 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in September. EPA
Liverpool's Sadio Mane after being fouled by Andreas Christensen of Chelsea. Mane had a fine game, scoring both goals in the 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in September. EPA
Chelsea's Timo Werner in action with Liverpool's Andrew Robertson. Reuters
Chelsea's Timo Werner in action with Liverpool's Andrew Robertson. Reuters
Liverpool's new signing Thiago Alcantara was introduced as a half-time replacement for Jordan Henderson. AFP
Liverpool's new signing Thiago Alcantara was introduced as a half-time replacement for Jordan Henderson. AFP
Andreas Christensen of Chelsea is shown a red card by referee Paul Tierney. EPA
Andreas Christensen of Chelsea is shown a red card by referee Paul Tierney. EPA
Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea. EPA
Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea. EPA
Sadio Mane of Liverpool scores his team's opening goal. EPA
Sadio Mane of Liverpool scores his team's opening goal. EPA
Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates. EPA
Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates. EPA
Sadio Mane scores Liverpool's second. EPA
Sadio Mane scores Liverpool's second. EPA
Liverpool's Thiago in action with Chelsea's Mason Mount. Reuters
Liverpool's Thiago in action with Chelsea's Mason Mount. Reuters
Chelsea's Timo Werner looks dejected. Reuters
Chelsea's Timo Werner looks dejected. Reuters

Football

Kepa Arrizabalaga proof that spending big doesn't always solve Chelsea's problems

Save percentage is too low and goals conceded is too high. If Lampard wants to truly match Liverpool, he must have a goalkeeper he can rely on

Richard Jolly
Richard Jolly
Greater Manchester, England

September 21, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The summer’s biggest buyers probably did not need a salutary warning that spending can lead to years of regret. They got one anyway. Chelsea may have paid out over £200 million (Dh950m) this year but their club record arrival joined in 2018 and Kepa Arrizabalaga remains their £71 million white elephant, the shot-stopper who saves too few shots and the goalkeeper who lets in too many goals.

Chelsea may have had their most ambitious overhaul since 2003 but their start has been defined by Arrizabalaga. Perhaps Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool will prove his final game, but that has been said before, and maybe the goal he gifted to Sadio Mane will be his leaving present, but his resale value, already a fraction of his purchase price, is reduced with his every appearance. Arrizabalaga may linger, unwanted, just as Danny Drinkwater does, but Frank Lampard has confirmed that Willy Caballero will start the Carabao Cup tie with Barnsley and, if Edouard Mendy's move from Rennes is not completed, the veteran looks the safer choice for Saturday's trip to West Bromwich Albion.

Read More

Gareth Bale, Thiago Alcantara and 90 top transfer moves - in pictures

'I would love to stay longer': Pep Guardiola enters fifth season with Manchester City

The Liverpool game represented a chance to kickstart a new era with a statement. Seventeen years ago, Chelsea did that, Roman Abramovich’s first spending spree producing a 2-1 win at Anfield with one of the glamorous recruits, Juan Sebastian Veron, on the scoresheet. There was no action replay, even if Chelsea can hope newer examples of their pulling power, such as Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, have a more lasting impact than Veron.

And yet Sunday arguably felt another defeat for the 2019/20 Chelsea. Lampard was without five of his probable strongest side; Chelsea were at half strength when it is factored in that Havertz is not at his sharpest and was removed in a half time rejig after going down to 10 men. The futuristic forward line surely also includes both Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech, but neither is fit yet.

It is fairer to judge them when they have a competent goalkeeper and when Thiago Silva is marshalling the defence, rather than watching on from the stands, though it is a moot point if a man who turns 36 on Tuesday would have done better than Andreas Christensen in keeping up with Mane in full flight. At left-back, Marcos Alonso was beaten too easily in the build-up to the Senegalese’s opener. Ben Chilwell, the expensive upgrade, should be available to debut soon.

Andreas Christensen had his yellow card for bringing down Liverppol's Sadio Mane upgraded to a red. Reuters
Andreas Christensen had his yellow card for bringing down Liverppol's Sadio Mane upgraded to a red. Reuters

Goalkeeper, centre-back, left-back: they were Chelsea’s three main requirements. It is where there is most scope for improvement and most need. The presumption is that Kurt Zouma is first in line to partner Silva, even if it feels odd that Antonio Rudiger has gone from first- to last-choice central defender. But that speaks to the struggle to find a combination, which Thiago’s leadership ought to help resolve.

Qualifying for the Champions League represented an achievement last season, but not merely because of the imposition of a transfer ban. Chelsea conceded 54 goals, the most by a top-four side in the Premier League years. It is unsustainable – indeed, no one has become champions of England when letting in as many since Tottenham in 1960/61 – even if the figure feels slightly deceptive. Only Manchester City conceded fewer shots last season, but Arrizabalaga’s failings gave Chelsea’s goalkeepers much the lowest save percentage in the division.

The highest in Premier League history was Petr Cech’s 91.3 per cent in a Chelsea team in 2006/07 that also featured Lampard. They were defined by their toughness, but the side he has coached has had a soft underbelly. Mendy, Thiago and Chilwell must be charged with changing that, newcomers told to bring back the Chelsea of old.

____________________

Chelsea v Liverpool player ratings

CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 4. If Edouard Mendy is arriving from Rennes, the Spaniard did himself no favours in convincing Frank Lampard he should remain Chelsea’s No 1. Another silly mistake by passing straight to Mane for Liverpool’s second while also making some sold saves. Sums up much of his Chelsea career. AFP
CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 4. If Edouard Mendy is arriving from Rennes, the Spaniard did himself no favours in convincing Frank Lampard he should remain Chelsea’s No 1. Another silly mistake by passing straight to Mane for Liverpool’s second while also making some sold saves. Sums up much of his Chelsea career. AFP
Reece James – 5. Tough night, especially after Chelsea went down to 10-men. Did ok for most of the match but lost Mane for Liverpool’s opening goal. AP
Reece James – 5. Tough night, especially after Chelsea went down to 10-men. Did ok for most of the match but lost Mane for Liverpool’s opening goal. AP
Andreas Christensen – 2. Cost his team big when they were right in the contest, his sending off for pulling down Sadio Mane changed the game. AP Photo
Andreas Christensen – 2. Cost his team big when they were right in the contest, his sending off for pulling down Sadio Mane changed the game. AP Photo
Kurt Zouma – 7. Was a rock in Chelsea’s defence. Without his presence, Liverpool could’ve created a lot more chances. Reuters
Kurt Zouma – 7. Was a rock in Chelsea’s defence. Without his presence, Liverpool could’ve created a lot more chances. Reuters
Marcos Alonso – 5. Never easy going up against Salah and his defensive frailties were on show. Impact in attack was limited after Chelsea tried to contain Liverpool. Reuters
Marcos Alonso – 5. Never easy going up against Salah and his defensive frailties were on show. Impact in attack was limited after Chelsea tried to contain Liverpool. Reuters
N’Golo Kante – 6. A trademark covered-every-blade-of-grass display by the French midfielder, but his influence faded after the red card. AP
N’Golo Kante – 6. A trademark covered-every-blade-of-grass display by the French midfielder, but his influence faded after the red card. AP
Jorginho – 5. Held his own in midfield prior to Christensen’s red card but like Kante, faded in the second half. His penalty could’ve given Chelsea a lifeline but was a weak effort. PA
Jorginho – 5. Held his own in midfield prior to Christensen’s red card but like Kante, faded in the second half. His penalty could’ve given Chelsea a lifeline but was a weak effort. PA
Mateo Kovacic – 6. Same story for Kovacic, who provided plenty of drive and energy up until Chelsea were reduced to 10 men. PA
Mateo Kovacic – 6. Same story for Kovacic, who provided plenty of drive and energy up until Chelsea were reduced to 10 men. PA
Kai Havertz – 5. Glimpses of his class early on but ultimately a frustrating outing for the German. Made way at halftime for Tomori after Christensen’s red. AP Photo
Kai Havertz – 5. Glimpses of his class early on but ultimately a frustrating outing for the German. Made way at halftime for Tomori after Christensen’s red. AP Photo
Timo Werner – 6. Looked early on like he was going to cause Liverpool plenty of problems, but as Chelsea retreated, he was starved of support. Scuffed an effort wide that would have given his team the lead but also won the penalty Jorginho missed. AP Photo
Timo Werner – 6. Looked early on like he was going to cause Liverpool plenty of problems, but as Chelsea retreated, he was starved of support. Scuffed an effort wide that would have given his team the lead but also won the penalty Jorginho missed. AP Photo
Mason Mount – 5. Flashed a dipping effort over the bar and looked dangerous on the ball but largely ineffectual. AP
Mason Mount – 5. Flashed a dipping effort over the bar and looked dangerous on the ball but largely ineffectual. AP
SUBS: Fikayo Tomori (45’) – 6. Sent into the fray as Chelsea were reduced to 10 men. Had a solid game in the circumstances. AP
SUBS: Fikayo Tomori (45’) – 6. Sent into the fray as Chelsea were reduced to 10 men. Had a solid game in the circumstances. AP
Ross Barkley (79’) – N/A. No real impact as game was lost by then. PA
Ross Barkley (79’) – N/A. No real impact as game was lost by then. PA
Tammy Abraham (79’) – N/A. Same as Barkley. AFP
Tammy Abraham (79’) – N/A. Same as Barkley. AFP
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson – 8. Penalty saved, clean sheet away to a top four side: can’t say fairer than that. PA
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson – 8. Penalty saved, clean sheet away to a top four side: can’t say fairer than that. PA
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6. A quiet performance by his usual sky-high standards but solid enough both in defence and attack. EPA
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6. A quiet performance by his usual sky-high standards but solid enough both in defence and attack. EPA
Fabinho – 8. Played out of position as a makeshift centre-back, this could have been an uncomfortable night for the Brazilian midfielder. Instead, he won all of his duels and looked at ease in the back line. AP
Fabinho – 8. Played out of position as a makeshift centre-back, this could have been an uncomfortable night for the Brazilian midfielder. Instead, he won all of his duels and looked at ease in the back line. AP
Virgil van Dijk – 8. A typical classy display from the Dutchman. Soaked up the few counters Chelsea launched with ease before enjoying a comfortable second half. AP
Virgil van Dijk – 8. A typical classy display from the Dutchman. Soaked up the few counters Chelsea launched with ease before enjoying a comfortable second half. AP
Andrew Robertson – 6. Similar to Alexander-Arnold, put in a good display without creating his usual litany of chances. AP
Andrew Robertson – 6. Similar to Alexander-Arnold, put in a good display without creating his usual litany of chances. AP
Naby Keita – 6. Yet another decent display without ever effecting the game. Klopp will want more from the Guinean midfielder. AP
Naby Keita – 6. Yet another decent display without ever effecting the game. Klopp will want more from the Guinean midfielder. AP
Jordan Henderson – 7. Withdrawn at halftime due to injury but produced the defining moment of the match after his superb long ball forward to Mane led to Christensen’s dismissal. EPA
Jordan Henderson – 7. Withdrawn at halftime due to injury but produced the defining moment of the match after his superb long ball forward to Mane led to Christensen’s dismissal. EPA
Georginio Wijnaldum – 8. Days after Thiago’s arrival led to suggestions the Dutchman’s time at Liverpool could be ending, he produced a fine all-round performance. The pick of Liverpool’s midfielders. AP
Georginio Wijnaldum – 8. Days after Thiago’s arrival led to suggestions the Dutchman’s time at Liverpool could be ending, he produced a fine all-round performance. The pick of Liverpool’s midfielders. AP
Mohamed Salah – 6. Usually loves to terrorise his former club but it was a subdued display from the Egyptian forward. EPA
Mohamed Salah – 6. Usually loves to terrorise his former club but it was a subdued display from the Egyptian forward. EPA
Roberto Firmino – 7. Did what he does best by setting up Mane’s opener with a pinpoint cross. A lively presence throughout. AP
Roberto Firmino – 7. Did what he does best by setting up Mane’s opener with a pinpoint cross. A lively presence throughout. AP
Sadio Mane – 9. Was the central figure in the game’s three biggest moments. It was Mane who was hauled down in Christensen’s red card moment, before he scored both of Liverpool’s goals soon after the interval. A gentle early season reminder of the Senegalese forward’s brilliance. EPA
Sadio Mane – 9. Was the central figure in the game’s three biggest moments. It was Mane who was hauled down in Christensen’s red card moment, before he scored both of Liverpool’s goals soon after the interval. A gentle early season reminder of the Senegalese forward’s brilliance. EPA
SUBS: Thiago Alcantara (45’) – 7. Liverpool fans would have been excited to see their new midfielder in action and it was an encouraging first appearance, although he committed the foul on Werner for Chelsea’s penalty. EPA
SUBS: Thiago Alcantara (45’) – 7. Liverpool fans would have been excited to see their new midfielder in action and it was an encouraging first appearance, although he committed the foul on Werner for Chelsea’s penalty. EPA
James Milner (64’) – 6. Provided Liverpool some fresh legs for the final 25 minutes. Another dependable performance as always. EPA
James Milner (64’) – 6. Provided Liverpool some fresh legs for the final 25 minutes. Another dependable performance as always. EPA
Takumi Minamino (86’) – N/A
Takumi Minamino (86’) – N/A
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi

From: Dara

To: Team@

Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT

Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East

Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.

Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.

I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.

This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.

It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.

Uber on,

Dara

The essentials

What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

When: Friday until March 9

Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City

Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.

Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.

Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
 

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

While you're here
ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

More coverage from the Future Forum
Squads

India: Kohli (c), Rahul, Shaw, Agarwal, Pujara, Rahane, Vihari, Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Shami, Umesh, Siraj, Thakur

West Indies: Holder (c), Ambris, Bishoo, Brathwaite, Chase, Dowrich (wk), Gabriel, Hamilton, Hetmyer, Hope, Lewis, Paul, Powell, Roach, Warrican, Joseph

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The biog

Favourite film: The Notebook  

Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey

Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela.           Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands

Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends

Job: Founder and Managing Director of Mawaheb from Beautiful Peopl

On Women's Day
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Match info

Uefa Champions League Group H

Manchester United v Young Boys, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)

Towering concerns
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency
LA LIGA FIXTURES

Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)

Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)

Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)

Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)

Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)

Sunday

Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)

Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)

Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)

Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)

Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)

Monday

Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)

Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi

Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi

Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain

Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni

Rating: 2.5/5

Results:

CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off

1.           Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds

2.           Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09

3.           Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42

4.           Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63

5.           Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74

The Two Popes

Director: Fernando Meirelles

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce 

Four out of five stars

While you're here
Infobox

Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August

Results

UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets

Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets

Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets

Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs

Monday fixtures

UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Golden Shoe top five (as of March 1):

Harry Kane, Tottenham, Premier League, 24 goals, 48 points
Edinson Cavani, PSG, Ligue 1, 24 goals, 48 points
Ciro Immobile, Lazio, Serie A, 23 goals, 46 points
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, 23 goals, 46 points
Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, 22 goals, 44 points

Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

While you're here
What to watch out for:

Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways

The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof

The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history

Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure

Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used

SportFootballChelseaKepa Arrizabalaga