Graham Potter is set to take charge of his first match as Chelsea manager when the London club take on RB Salzburg in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Chelsea's opening Group E fixture saw them fall to a surprising defeat at Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb, a result that saw Blues manager Thomas Tuchel sacked the following day.
The 2021 European champions moved quickly for the German's replacement with Potter poached from fellow Premier League club Brighton within 48 hours of Tuchel's exit.
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly believes Potter fits his vision for the future at Stamford Bridge. “We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea. He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club,” the American said.
“Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch which will make Chelsea a more successful club."
Chelsea, meanwhile, have had their Premier League game at home to Liverpool postponed due to concerns about police resources being overstretched ahead of Queen Elizabeth's funeral.
You can see images of Chelsea players training ahead of their game on Wednesday in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.
Dinamo Zagreb 1 Chelsea 0: player ratings
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DINAMO ZAGREB PLAYER RATINGS: Dominik Livakovic 7/10: Will be happy with his clean sheet. Made a double save to keep the visitors at bay and did the basics well. Good showing. AP -

Stefan Ristovski 6: Did what was required. Probably slipped under the radar, but did his job well and made no obvious errors during the game. EPA -

Josip Sutalo 8: Looked very comfortable on the ball and won the majority of his duels. Another impressive defender for Zagreb on the night, with Sutalo putting Chelsea’s backline to shame. AFP -

Dino Peric 7: Very solid, making a number of crucial blocks and challenges. Played his part in a resolute defensive performance from the hosts. AFP -

Josip Misic 7: Did well and managed to find a Zagreb shirt consistently, with his short-range passes often starting attacks for the hosts. AFP -

Sadegh Moharrami 5: Looked a little suspect defensively. Enjoyed plenty of space higher up the pitch in the first-half, but did not enjoy having Havertz running at him. Getty -

Luka Ivanusec 6: Did not put a foot wrong but was also fairly anonymous. Looked a tidy player on occasion. AP -

Arijan Ademi 7: Drove the hosts forward and led his team well. Will be thrilled that he captained the hosts to such a memorable win. AP -

Robert Ljubicic 8: Had the better of Reece James for the majority of the night, which is no mean feat. Consistently buzzed around and looked a threat. AFP -

Bruno Petkovic 9: Chelsea’s centre-halves could not deal with the target-man at all. Won his aerial duels, especially against Koulibaly, and won the flick-on which led to the winner. Fantastic, classic target-man showing from Petkovic. AFP -

Mislav Orsic 8: Linked up very well with Petkovic and Chelsea’s defence struggled to keep him quiet. Took his goal well and consistently threatened to add to his tally. AFP -

SUBS: Rasmus Lauritsen (Moharrami 76’) 6: Slotted in nicely as he helped Zagreb restrict Chelsea to limited chances. EPA -

Dario Spikic (Orsic 77’) 6: Added fresh legs to the encounter to help Zagreb secure the win. EPA -

Martin Baturina (Ademi 89’) N/A: Did not have enough time to stamp his authority on the game, but helped the hosts hold on. AFP -

Josip Drmic (Petkovic 90’+8) N/A: Came on in the dying embers of the game and saw Zagreb over the line. AFP -

CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga 7: Made a world-class save to deny Zagreb a second just before the hour-mark as he tipped a goal-bound effort onto the bar. Could not have done much for the goal, though possibly should have waited longer before racing out. A decent showing by the Spaniard. AP -

Cesar Azpilicueta 4: Struggled throughout the first-half and looked like he could not adapt to the pace of the game. Looks too slow and was exploited many times by the Dinamo forwards. Subbed at half-time as Chelsea changed shape. AFP -

Wesley Fofana 4: Brushed aside too easily by Orsic, with the defender looking like he was running through treacle. Gave the ball away too easily and did not bring any composure to the Chelsea defence. EPA -

Kalidou Koulibaly 4: His missed header led to the flick-on that saw Orsic break the deadlock. Struggled to deal with Petkovic who outmuscled and outcompeted Koulibaly on many occasions - especially in the first-half. AP -

Reece James 6: A steady showing from the Chelsea full-back. Almost dragged them level, but saw his effort cannon off the post. Cut a frustrated figure at times. AFP -

Mason Mount 3: Has endured a difficult start to the season and that continued, with the midfielder struggling to impress. Bypassed far too much by the Zagreb midfielders and was too predictable when going forward. His form will be a major concern for Thomas Tuchel. Getty -

Mateo Kovacic 8: On his return to Zagreb, Kovacic looked head and shoulders above his teammates. Consistently won the ball back, showcased by his 100 per cent tackles won percentage in the first-half, and constantly looked to get on the ball to drive the visitors forward. His passing accuracy was a big positive, considering his midfield counterparts were struggling to find a teammate consistently. AFP -

Ben Chilwell 7: Made a number of dangerous runs that left space for Sterling to take up, but he could not be a consistent threat. Did his defensive duties well and tried to push Chelsea forward, on what was a frustrating evening for the Blues. Getty -

Kai Havertz 5: Did look lively in the first-half, but faded as the game went on. Did not look threatening enough and was dealt with well by the Zagreb defence. Another Chelsea player struggling to find his top level. AFP -

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 4: Should have shot when presented with a chance twice in the first-half, but opted to pass instead. Linked up well with the midfield, but did not do enough to get himself on the scoresheet. Early days at Chelsea for the 33-year-old. AP -

Raheem Sterling 3: For a player who can be devastating on his day, Sterling was near enough anonymous before being subbed off. Sloppy on the ball and wasteful in good positions, it was an evening to forget for the forward who was well below his usual high standards. AFP -

SUBS: Hakim Ziyech (Azpilicueta 45’) 3: Came on at half-time as Tuchel changed shape, but it did not pay off. Ziyech was sloppy on the ball and his body language showcased a player who did not have the drive to turn the game around for his side. Substituted on to change the game, but ended up being ineffective for the visitors. Reuters -

Armando Broja (Aubameyang 59’) 5: Not able to influence the game as Chelsea succumbed to defeat. AFP -

Jorginho (Kovacic (59') 4: Struggled to get involved in the midfield and offered little creative threat as Chelsea struggled to create a clear-cut chance for an equaliser. EPA -

Marc Cucurella (Chilwell (71') 6: Slotted in nicely, but could not change the visitors’ fortunes. AP -

Christian Pulisic (Sterling (75') N/A: Did not have adequate time to change the game as the hosts held on for the win. AP
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
While you're here
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
How to vote in the UAE
1) Download your ballot https://www.fvap.gov/
2) Take it to the US Embassy
3) Deadline is October 15
4) The embassy will ensure all ballots reach the US in time for the November 3 poll
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
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
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.”
Pandemic Parenting
THE DEALS
Hamilton $60m x 2 = $120m
Vettel $45m x 2 = $90m
Ricciardo $35m x 2 = $70m
Verstappen $55m x 3 = $165m
Leclerc $20m x 2 = $40m
TOTAL $485m
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying

























