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Five Arab footballers who will grace the Premier League this season

Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Salah and Hakim Ziyech are just some of the Arab stars set to light up the Premier League this season. (AFP/File Photos)
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Updated 18 September 2020
Ali Khaled
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Five Arab footballers who will grace the Premier League this season

  • We take a look at some of the Arab stars set to light up the Premier League this season
Updated 18 September 2020
Ali Khaled

DUBAI: With more Arab players in the Premier League than ever before, we take a look at the biggest names vying for glory in the English top flight this season.

Mohamed Salah - Liverpool

The standard by which all Arab footballers in the Premier League, and possibly Europe and the world, are judged by.

Salah has already kicked off this season in style, scoring a hat-trick for Premier League champions Liverpool in their 4-3 win over an excellent Leeds United on the opening day of the season. What’s more, he looked the sharpest he has been in months, and clearly determined to carry on winning trophies and retain his crown as the league’s top scorer.

The signing of Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich will strengthen Liverpool’s midfield, and perhaps improve their creativity too, all of which will be music to Salah’s ears as he looks to benefit from the Spanish midfielder’s peerless passing range.

Salah’s arrival on Merseyside in 2017 is arguably the catalyst that turned Liverpool from a team challenging for a place in the Premier League’s top four to one of the world’s best. 

What more can the Egyptian King and his teammates achieve?

Riyad Mahrez - Manchester City

Manchester City’s Premier League campaign will kick off this weekend and you can be certain that team and coach will have a few points to make.

By their own very high standards, Manchester City’s 2019-20 season will go down as a major disappointment, especially as it ended with shock exits from the FA Cup (to Arsenal) and Champions League (to Lyon) long after the Premier League title had been lost to Liverpool.

But few can complain about the contribution of Algerian star Riyad Mahrez, who remains the only Arab footballer to have won the league title with two different clubs, Leicester City in 2015-16 and Manchester City two years ago.

The 29-year-old winger recorded 11 goals and 12 assists for Pep Guardiola’s team in the Premier League last season, and added a further goal and four assists in the Champions League.

Despite his fine contributions, there were suggestions that he might leave the Etihad, especially when rumours swirled that a certain Argentinian superstar might be joining Manchester City from Barcelona. 

With Lionel Messi’s arrival now shelved, at least for a season, Mahrez will want to prove yet again that he has done enough to start the majority of his team’s matches ahead of the likes of Bernardo Silva. Starting on Monday away to Wolves.

Hakim Ziyech - Chelsea

The Premier League new boy has yet to make his league debut for Chelsea since signing for €40 million ($47.3 million) from Ajax earlier this year. Injury will likely keep him out of his new club’s highly anticipated clash against champions Liverpool on Sunday as well.

All of which means that the expectations from the wonderfully gifted Moroccan will rise by the day. He should not disappoint.

Ziyech’s performances for Ajax over the last two seasons had made him one of Europe’s most sought after players. He might have caught the eye in the Dutch giants’ stunning 2018-19 Champions League run to the semi-final, where he scored a superb goal in the eventual heartbreaking loss to Tottenham, but Ziyech has been excelling in the Eredivisie for years and, at 27, he has long shed his potential status and is a bona fide star expected to hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge.

The arrival of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Ziyech at Chelsea, and with potentially more signings to follow, means that Frank Lampard now has arguably the best squad in the Premier League. Expectations have accordingly skyrocketed, with a genuine title challenge or a trophy the bare minimum. 

Can Chelsea and Ziyech deliver?

Mohamed Elneny - Arsenal

Many were surprised when the Egyptian international made the starting line up for Arsenal ahead of their Community Shield clash with Liverpool. Indeed many would have probably forgotten that he was still on the North London club’s books. However, a fine performance in the victory over the Premier League champions — not to mention words of praise from coach Mikel Arteta — looks to have provided Mohamed Elneny with a new lease of life at the club he joined in 2016.

Elneny spent last season on loan at Besiktas and his days at the club looked to be coming to an end after disappointing seasons under Arsene Wenger and then Unai Emery.

However, the mood around the Emirates could not be more different these days. Having claimed two trophies this year, Arteta has transformed the club from the one wallowing in negativity for almost a decade.

Elneny started the 3-0 win at Fulham on the opening day of the season and will be expected to be in the starting 11 again against West Ham on Saturday. He may not enjoy the profile of another Egyptian superstar - and fellow Basel alumni - in the Premier League, but the future looks promising for Elneny at Arsenal again.

Trezeguet (Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hasan) - Aston Villa

Another of the Premier League’s Egyptian contingent — the man nicknamed Trezeguet after the former France and Juventus superstar — alongside countryman Ahmed Elmohamady, he played an important role in Aston Villa’s successful fight against relegation on their return to the top flight last season.

Unlike Salah, Mahrez, Ziyech and Elneny, chances are that Trezeguet and his team will not be challenging for honours or European places at the top end of the Premier League.

Villa manager Dean Smith, however, is clearly aiming higher and has made several high profile new signings like forward Ollie Watkins from Brentford, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Arsenal and defender Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest. And with captain and talisman Jack Grealish staying put, things are looking up for the Midlands club.

Which is good news for Trezeguet as he goes chasing goals against Sheffield United as Villa kick off their Premier League campaign on Monday.

Topics: football soccer Premier league

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Maresca happy with Chelsea wide men as Garnacho rumors swirl

Updated 24 January 2025
AFP
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Maresca happy with Chelsea wide men as Garnacho rumors swirl

  • The 20-year-old Argentina international has reportedly been the subject of interest from Chelsea and Napoli
  • The Italian said the club were keeping a close eye on options in the transfer market
Updated 24 January 2025
AFP

LONDON: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said Friday he is happy with his wide options despite reports linking the London club with a move for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.
The 20-year-old Argentina international has reportedly been the subject of interest from Chelsea and Italian side Napoli during the January transfer window.
Representatives of Garnacho were in attendance as Chelsea beat Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
Maresca, who is likely to be without Mykhailo Mudryk for an extended period as the Ukrainian awaits the outcome of a doping investigation, handed a Premier League debut to academy graduate Tyrique George during the 3-1 win, after being left with only three available senior wide forward.
Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho have shared the two wide starting berths since Mudryk has been unavailable, while Joao Felix can also operate on the wings.
Maresca, whose team face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, was asked at his pre-match press conference about the Garnacho reports.
“I’m happy with the ones that we have in this moment,” he said. “We said many times, on the right side is Pedro (Neto) and Noni (Madueke) and on the left side is Jadon (Sancho).
“Misha (Mudryk) was with us but now he is not with us but (we also have) Tyrique, I think it’s a young profile that can help us. In this moment, we are OK.”
The Italian said the club were keeping a close eye on options in the transfer market, with the window closing on February 3.
Fourth-placed Chelsea are seeking to open up a five-point gap on the champions in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Maresca was employed by City, first as coach of their elite development squad then latterly as an assistant to manager Pep Guardiola, either side of an unsuccessful and brief spell in charge of Italian Serie B side Parma.
The Chelsea boss spoke warmly about City, referring to the “trust, confidence and faith” they showed in him after his sacking by Parma.
And he downplayed suggestions that it was a good time to face Guardiola’s men, who have had a miserable season.
“It is probably on the other side,” he said. “I think this kind of club with these kind of players, when they are in a difficult moment, it’s when they want to show how good they are.
“They want to come against everyone and say: ‘OK, if you think we are not good enough, we are going to show you how good we are’, so I don’t think there is a good moment to play against City.”

Topics: Man United Chelsea Alejandro Garnacho English Premier League (EPL)

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UIM E1 World Championship begins in Jeddah

Updated 24 January 2025
SALEH FAREED
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UIM E1 World Championship begins in Jeddah

  • Event ‘represents yet another big step,’ says Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman
  • E1 CEO Rodi Basso: ‘We look forward to a continued and long-lasting association with Saudi Arabia’
Updated 24 January 2025
SALEH FAREED

JEDDAH: Chairman of the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman has said that the Kingdom is fully equipped to host major sporting events on water — including the UIM E1 World Championship which began on Friday — for many years to come.
At a press conference on Friday at the Jeddah Corniche, the chairman said: “Hosting E1 Jeddah GP represents yet another big step toward bolstering Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global destination for sports and an active contributor to the international sporting community.
“We are thrilled to host this major race here in Jeddah for the second year in a row. We have gained more experience and everything is in place to make this race a success.
“Now, we really know what our partner wants to do much better. I always tell people that when you go to another season and work with other people, you become one family in order to contribute to the Saudi sports community. To keep this going is always great.”
Rodi Basso, the CEO at E1, said he was excited at the return to Saudi Arabia.
He added: “Last year it was the first ever in Saudi Arabia and definitely we had some doubts and uncertainties on the technical side, but the power of our collaboration with the SWSDF allowed us to be very ambitious and we managed to have an amazing round in Jeddah.”
Basso added: “I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and cooperation, which have enabled us to consolidate our racing footprint in Jeddah, and we look forward to a continued and long-lasting association with Saudi Arabia.”
The first round of the UIM World Championship began with its first race of the year at the Jeddah Corniche on Friday morning in front of thousands of water sports enthusiasts.
The weekend’s events span two days. Teams had free practice sessions early in the morning on Friday, allowing pilots to get a feel for the course, and qualifying rounds were taking place in the afternoon, including sprint and match races.
Saturday will include the semifinals and finals. The top teams from the semis will compete in the finals.

Topics: UIM E1 World Championship Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation Rodi Basso

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Pakistan stick with spin as they chase West Indies series sweep

Updated 24 January 2025
AFP
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Pakistan stick with spin as they chase West Indies series sweep

  • Pakistan completed a 127-run win inside three days in the opening Test, with spinners Sajid Khan taking nine wickets
  • West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican also grabbed a career-best 7-32 as 34 of the 40 wickets in the match went to spinners
Updated 24 January 2025
AFP

MULTAN: Head coach Aaqib Javed brushed aside criticism of Pakistan’s reliance on spin bowling as they seek a clean sweep against the West Indies in the second Test starting on Saturday.
Pakistan completed a 127-run win inside three days in the opening Test, with spinners Sajid Khan taking nine wickets, Noman Ali six and Abrar Ahmed five for their third straight win at home.
West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican also grabbed a career-best 7-32 as 34 of the 40 wickets in the match went to spinners.
The second Test will also be played on a dry and grassless pitch in the central city of Multan.
Former Pakistan players and analysts hit out at the spin-heavy strategy, saying the team would struggle on away tours where pitches may not be as conducive to spin.
Aaqib, a fast bowler from an era dominated by the great pacemen Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, insisted the spin assault would continue.
“We found that the West Indies have a weakness in dealing with the spin bowling, so we exploited that and will do that again,” Aaqib told a news conference on Friday.
West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite had no qualms about Pakistan’s tactics.
“Pakistan are playing at home and if they believe spinning pitches are their strength then that’s fine and that’s how cricket is played,” Brathwaite said.
“I have played on pitches which took turn from day one but not like this, which had cracks from day one,” he said.
West Indies will be without injured pace bowler Jayden Seales, who took three wickets in the first match and will be replaced by the experienced Kemar Roach.
Pakistan are unlikely to make any changes.
Brathwaite said his batters need more faith after the first Test, in which his team managed just 137 and 123 in their two innings, with Alick Athanaze the only one to reach a half century.
“It was a difficult pitch to bat in the last game,” Brathwaite said.
“I would say you need to believe in your plan from ball one and not think of the third or fourth ball.”
Pakistan are eighth and the West Indies ninth and last on the World Test Championship table.
Another victory in Multan could see the hosts rise to seventh.
Pakistan were forced to make radical changes last year after losing the first of three Tests against England, their 11th straight home Test without a win.
The Aaqib-led selection panel dropped out-of-form batter Babar Azam and rested pace spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.
The tactics worked on the spin-friendly pitches in Rawalpindi and Pakistan went on to win the series 2-1.
“If we had taken these decisions earlier we would have been in the race for World Test Championship final,” Aaqib said.

Topics: Multan Test Pakistan vs West Indies

Former AC Milan coach fined 10,000 euros for ref rant

Updated 24 January 2025
AFP
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Former AC Milan coach fined 10,000 euros for ref rant

  • “The referee decided the result of this match, and it is not the first time,” insisted the Portuguese coach.
  • Fonseca was sacked in December after just six months in charge with compatriot Sergio Conceicao taking over
Updated 24 January 2025
AFP

ROME: Former AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca was fined 10,000 euros ($10,466) by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Thursday for a post-match rant against the referee last year.
“During interviews after the match against Atalanta, the former AC Milan coach expressed judgments detrimental to the reputation of the referee and the arbitration institution as a whole,” the FIGC said.
AC Milan were fined 5,000 euros.
At the end of the Italian league match which AC Milan lost 2-1 in Bergamo last month, Fonseca said that the result had been “determined” by referee Federico La Penna.
“The referee decided the result of this match, and it is not the first time,” insisted the Portuguese coach.
Fonseca was sacked in December after just six months in charge with compatriot Sergio Conceicao taking over.
“I have always respected the work of referees, but there are so many mistakes every weekend, always at the expense of the same clubs. The way the referee officiated during this match is a lack of respect toward Milan,” he added.
AC Milan won the Italian Super Cup at the beginning of January under Conceicao but remain stuck in eighth place in Serie A — 19 points behind leaders Napoli.

Topics: AC Milan Paulo Fonseca Italian Football Federation

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Barcelona sold the farm for Lewandowski, Raphinha and Koundé

Updated 24 January 2025
AP
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Barcelona sold the farm for Lewandowski, Raphinha and Koundé

  • The excellent play of the trio, as well as their teammates, has seen Barcelona take second place in the Champions League standings
  • Lewandowski is having one of his best seasons at age 36, and Koundé is excelling both in defense and attack from his position of right back
Updated 24 January 2025
AP

BARCELONA: Barcelona took a big bet 2 1/2 years ago that they could mortgage their future for the quick cash that the indebted club desperately needed to sign some major names.
They took a chunk of the money they received from selling off future television rights and other assets and paid a combined 160 million euros (then $163 million) to bring in top striker Robert Lewandowski, Brazil forward Raphinha, and versatile defender Jules Koundé.
While Lewandowski has consistently found the net, there was never a stretch in which all three players performed up to their billing.
Until now.
The excellent play of the trio, as well as their teammates, has seen Barcelona take second place in the Champions League standings and remain in contention both in the Spanish league and Copa del Rey.
Lewandowski is having one of his best seasons at age 36, and Koundé is excelling both in defense and attack from his position of right back.
But it is the 28-year-old Raphinha who has undergone a transformation into a clutch scorer, team leader, and play-from-any position wild card for new coach Hansi Flick.
The breakout of Raphinha
Raphinha arrived in Spain from Leeds as a speedy, hard-working right winger.
But coach Xavi Hernández ended up preferring Ousmane Dembele in that position and Raphinha was not a key player during the 2022 La Liga title run. Then, after Dembele left, Raphinha saw teen phenom Lamine Yamal explode and again push him to the bench.
Instead of sulking, Raphinha reinvented himself as a left-side winger and a creative midfielder and immediately convinced Flick that he had to be in his starting 11.
He has since become the most improved player for a top team in Spain this season, scoring 22 goals across all competitions. He had managed 10 goals in each of his first two campaigns with the club.
And those goals have been big ones. He scored three goals in two lopsided wins over Real Madrid, and he netted a brace, including an incredible solo breakaway goal, to stun Benfica 5-4 in the Champions League earlier this week.
Lewandowski remains as good as ever
When Lewandowski arrived from Bayern Munich in 2022, many thought that Barcelona would be lucky to get a couple of good seasons from the Poland star before he entered the twilight of his career.
But Lewandowski is on a romp with a whopping 28 goals in 29 games overall, including a Champions League leading nine goals. Raphinha is next with eight.
Patience pays off for Koundé and Xavi
Koundé arrived at Barcelona after impressing as a central defender with Sevilla. Xavi, however, needed to play him at right back and out of his comfort zone.
Now Koundé has fully adapted to that position and displays a sense of command both while marking top forward like Vinícius Júnior or going into attack behind Yamal on the flank. He has delivered two goals and three assists while playing the most minutes of any Barcelona player this season.
Barcelona are in third place in La Liga before hosting relegation-threatened Valencia on Sunday. Flick’s team will be aiming to bounce back from a 1-1 draw at Getafe last weekend.
Leader Real Madrid visit bottom-side Valladolid on Saturday, two points ahead of Atletico Madrid before they play Villarreal.

Topics: Barcelona Robert Lewandowski Jules Koundé Raphinha

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