• CHELSEA BEST: 5) 1997-99 home: Chelsea have played it pretty straight with their home kits, taking little risks with their traditional all-blue. This is about as adventurous they have got in the Premier League era with added white under the arms and black and yellow trim. Worn by Gianfranco Zola and Co when they beat Stuttgart to win the 1998 European Cup Winners’ Cup. Allsport
    CHELSEA BEST: 5) 1997-99 home: Chelsea have played it pretty straight with their home kits, taking little risks with their traditional all-blue. This is about as adventurous they have got in the Premier League era with added white under the arms and black and yellow trim. Worn by Gianfranco Zola and Co when they beat Stuttgart to win the 1998 European Cup Winners’ Cup. Allsport
  • 4) 2009/10 away: a rare foray into hoops as Adidas went for this smart dark blue and black number with gold trim. A season to remember all round as Chelsea became the seventh club to complete the league and FA Cup double, under Carlo Ancelotti. Getty
    4) 2009/10 away: a rare foray into hoops as Adidas went for this smart dark blue and black number with gold trim. A season to remember all round as Chelsea became the seventh club to complete the league and FA Cup double, under Carlo Ancelotti. Getty
  • 3) 1995/97 home: while the Umbro away kits of this period were absolutely diabolical (see worst kits), at least the likes of Ruud Gullit, Gianfranco Zola and Gianluca Vialli could run around Stamford Bridge without any shame. Clearly an inspiration for the players as Chelsea ended a 26-year wait for a trophy by beating Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup final wearing this. Allsport
    3) 1995/97 home: while the Umbro away kits of this period were absolutely diabolical (see worst kits), at least the likes of Ruud Gullit, Gianfranco Zola and Gianluca Vialli could run around Stamford Bridge without any shame. Clearly an inspiration for the players as Chelsea ended a 26-year wait for a trophy by beating Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup final wearing this. Allsport
  • 2) 2016/17 away: A top-notch kit from Adidas that only just missed out on top spot, unlike Antonio Conte’s title-winning side of that season. A grey/black horizontal striped top with a socially acceptable use of neon yellow (see worst kits for unacceptable). Getty
    2) 2016/17 away: A top-notch kit from Adidas that only just missed out on top spot, unlike Antonio Conte’s title-winning side of that season. A grey/black horizontal striped top with a socially acceptable use of neon yellow (see worst kits for unacceptable). Getty
  • 1) 2003/04 away: A classic shirt from the early Roman Abramovich days at Stamford Bridge. Money on new players was being hurled around like confetti by the new Russian owner. The likes of Juan Sebastian Veron, Hernan Crespo and Claude Makelele may not have won anything that season, but were at least attired appropriately on their travels. A simple, clean and classy all-white design from Umbro with a fade in-and-out black stripe down the middle. Getty
    1) 2003/04 away: A classic shirt from the early Roman Abramovich days at Stamford Bridge. Money on new players was being hurled around like confetti by the new Russian owner. The likes of Juan Sebastian Veron, Hernan Crespo and Claude Makelele may not have won anything that season, but were at least attired appropriately on their travels. A simple, clean and classy all-white design from Umbro with a fade in-and-out black stripe down the middle. Getty
  • WORST: 5) 1992/94 away: Clearly offended so many people that this would be the last time red and white would play a dominating role in a Chelsea shirt. Not even the snazzy drawstring collar can rescue it, although made to look respectable by the top four. Getty
    WORST: 5) 1992/94 away: Clearly offended so many people that this would be the last time red and white would play a dominating role in a Chelsea shirt. Not even the snazzy drawstring collar can rescue it, although made to look respectable by the top four. Getty
  • 4) 1996/98 away: The 1990s really were a decade of shame for Chelsea away strips under the stewardship of Umbro. This number sees various shades of yellow and blue thrown together in a haphazard manner unbefitting of a club that were winning trophies home and abroad and had class acts such as Zola in their side. Allsport
    4) 1996/98 away: The 1990s really were a decade of shame for Chelsea away strips under the stewardship of Umbro. This number sees various shades of yellow and blue thrown together in a haphazard manner unbefitting of a club that were winning trophies home and abroad and had class acts such as Zola in their side. Allsport
  • 3) 2007/08 away: Such is the strength in depth of appalling away kits, this neon yellow retina-shredder finds itself down in a surprising third place for the Blues. Sport is about small margins. I firmly believe the mental anguish brought on by their away kit caused Chelsea to finish second in the Community Shield, League Cup Premier League and Champions League that season. Probably. Getty
    3) 2007/08 away: Such is the strength in depth of appalling away kits, this neon yellow retina-shredder finds itself down in a surprising third place for the Blues. Sport is about small margins. I firmly believe the mental anguish brought on by their away kit caused Chelsea to finish second in the Community Shield, League Cup Premier League and Champions League that season. Probably. Getty
  • 2) 1990-92 away: A cracker of a top-two clash from the London club here. A narrow defeat for this Umbro shocker but still a mighty fine terrible shirt. A red-and-white diamond effect that is more at home on a picnic blanket than football pitch. Getty
    2) 1990-92 away: A cracker of a top-two clash from the London club here. A narrow defeat for this Umbro shocker but still a mighty fine terrible shirt. A red-and-white diamond effect that is more at home on a picnic blanket than football pitch. Getty
  • 1) 1994/96 away: Not just Chelsea’s worst ever kit, but one of English football’s most abysmal efforts of all time. “I think a mix of greys, orange and dark blue would look good on a strip,” said no one, ever. Unforgivable. Allsport
    1) 1994/96 away: Not just Chelsea’s worst ever kit, but one of English football’s most abysmal efforts of all time. “I think a mix of greys, orange and dark blue would look good on a strip,” said no one, ever. Unforgivable. Allsport

Five best and five worst Chelsea kits


  • English
  • Arabic

Premier League clubs are back in training after the coronavirus-enforced lockdown.

And, as we edge closer to a possible return to action next month, we take a look back on 30 years of football kits from the current 20 top-flight English clubs.

There have been some stunning works of wonder over the years ... as well as truly heinous crimes committed in the name of sporting fashion.

Next in our series is Chelsea, so take a trip down memory lane and click on the arrows or simply swipe to look at the next image.

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
CREW
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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The specs

Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo

Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed

Power: 271 and 409 horsepower

Torque: 385 and 650Nm

Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000

Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

UAE squad

Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

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.

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10

*November 15 to November 24

*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com

*TV: Ten Sports

*Streaming: Jio Live

*2017 winners: Kerala Kings

*2018 winners: Northern Warriors

Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company

Profile of Hala Insurance

Date Started: September 2018

Founders: Walid and Karim Dib

Based: Abu Dhabi

Employees: Nine

Amount raised: $1.2 million

Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers

 

Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain

West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership

UAE Premiership
}Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes

UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

The biog

Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi

Age: 23

How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them

Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need

Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman

Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs 

Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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