LONDON // Chelsea are making such rapid progress under Carlo Ancelotti that after beating Burnley comprehensively 3-0 at Stamford Bridge the Italian has said he does not need Franck Ribery or any other signings for that matter.
The result, secured by goals from Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole, means Chelsea have won all four of their opening fixtures in the Premier League, but more importantly their performances are increasing in quality.
On the opening day Chelsea had to come from behind to beat Hull, 2-1, and several of the team looked to be struggling with their manager's diamond formation.
But the way in which Ancelotti's players moved seamlessly around the field against Burnley should have the rest of the "Big Four" looking on nervously.
Chelsea's movement was so quick, incisive and clever that without building up a sweat they could easily have won this match by eight or nine goals.
The home side's performance was so convincing that afterwards Ancelotti ruled out a move for Ribery, who had been the subject of a £45 million (Dh270m) bid from the club earlier in the summer and who is reported to be available after his club Bayern Munich signed Arjen Robben from Real Madrid.
"Will I make a bid? No," said Ancelotti. "I'm looking forward to the end of the transfer market. We will stay very well with these players. We don't want to change and we don't want to take other players."
That decision is hardly surprising considering Chelsea have Joe Cole and Yuri Zhirkov available to add to their squad when they recover from injury.
Ancelotti added: "We are happy. We are two months in, and, at this moment, the play has improved. The confidence of our play has improved. We have a possibility to win the title - we start well, but know the season is very long."
This was certainly a ruthless display from Chelsea. True, they were up against opponents who are still finding their feet at the top level. But don't forget Burnley had made an impressive start to the season by beating Manchester United and Everton at home and were contenders at Stamford Bridge, too, for 45 minutes.
They should, have taken the lead after 10 minutes when Frank Lampard inexplicably gave the ball away to Tyrone Mears who squared for teammate Martin Paterson. The striker was only eight yards from goal, but somehow contrived to send his shot wide of the post.
It was a big miss and one that proved costly.
If it hadn't been for giant goalkeeper Brian Jensen, nicknamed 'The Beast' by Burnley fans, Chelsea would have been five or six ahead by half-time as the Dane saved twice from Lampard and also from Ballack, Deco and John Terry
It was the fact that the breakthrough goal came in first-half injury time that really hurt the visitors, though, and there was an element of luck about it, too.
Michael Essien's threaded pass set Drogba free on the right and his low cross bobbled off defender Clarke Carlisle before hitting Anelka as he slid in at the far post.
From then on there was only going to be one outcome, a fact that was emphasised on 47 minutes when Lampard crossed from the left for Ballack to score with a stooping header.
It was 3-0 by the 52nd minute, Cole volleying home spectacularly following a clever one-two with Lampard.
Poor Burnley. They needed 'The Beast' to make further saves, notably from Essien and Ballack, to keep the score respectable.
But if Ancelotti's team continue their current rate of progress it is going to take a very good side to finish above them.
sports@thenational.ae
Bharatanatyam
A ancient classical dance from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Intricate footwork and expressions are used to denote spiritual stories and ideas.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Company profile
Company name: Fasset
Started: 2019
Founders: Mohammad Raafi Hossain, Daniel Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $2.45 million
Current number of staff: 86
Investment stage: Pre-series B
Investors: Investcorp, Liberty City Ventures, Fatima Gobi Ventures, Primal Capital, Wealthwell Ventures, FHS Capital, VN2 Capital, local family offices
SHALASH THE IRAQI
Author: Shalash
Translator: Luke Leafgren
Pages: 352
Publisher: And Other Stories
THREE
Director: Nayla Al Khaja
Starring: Jefferson Hall, Faten Ahmed, Noura Alabed, Saud Alzarooni
Rating: 3.5/5
Types of policy
Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.
Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.
Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.
Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.
MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
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A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
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About Tenderd
Started: May 2018
Founder: Arjun Mohan
Based: Dubai
Size: 23 employees
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