Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has hit back at his Aston Villa counterpart Remi Garde for showing interest in under-utilised Blues striker Loic Remy even as prolonged injury to another striker Radamel Falcao has compounded the Dutchman’s woes.
Garde on Wednesday said Villa will aim to sign Remy when the January transfer window opens but Hiddink was less than impressed by his remarks.
“It’s important, in the situation Chelsea are in, that we have the most powerful squad possible,” the Dutchman told the British media.
“He’s our player and you have to respect where the players are. If you are interested, talk first to the people with whom they are contracted,” Hiddink said of his French striker, who has managed three goals in 14 appearances across all competitions this season.
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“You cannot go into details but the player has signed a contract here and must be fit for us first. He’s having a difficult time regarding his injuries. He has to prove first of all that he’s a good Chelsea player,” added Hiddink.
Remy has scored only once for Chelsea in the league and has started only in seven games since joining from Queens Park Rangers last season, with a calf injuring troubling the 28-year-old of late.
Huddink’s strike options remain limited as the Colombian ace Falcao suffered a relapse of his thigh injury which may keep the forward out of action till January end.
“It’s the inside of his thigh and it’s the same now as it was before,” Hiddink said.
“He’s having treatment at the moment but he cannot appear on the pitch. We hope within 10 days he might be fit again but not to play,” added Hiddink.
Falcao, on loan from French side Monaco, last played for Chelsea in the home defeat against Liverpool in October and has scored a solitary goal for the reigning champions.
Chelsea, who are just three points clear of the relegation zone, visit the fifth-placed Crystal Palace on Sunday.
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Tell Me Who I Am
Director: Ed Perkins
Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis
Four stars
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
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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The years Ramadan fell in May
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
