• The National's Transfer Talk page
Chelsea will be fighting on all fronts next season and will look to win their remaining Premier League games as a disappointing campaign for the champions nears its end, defender Cesar Azpilicueta has said.
Despite losing just once in their last 16 league games, Chelsea’s early season form under former manager Jose Mourinho, which saw them lose nine games and dwell dangerously close to relegation, has cost them dearly.
The Blues, who have already exited both European and domestic tournaments, are 10th in the table with just six games left, and Azpilicueta felt a club of Chelsea’s stature should not be languishing in such a position.
"We have Premier League games to win and our motivation is to finish as high up the table as possible because for Chelsea it's not enough to be fighting in mid-table," the Spain international told the club's website.
“We haven’t won any trophies this season but we want to win as many games as we can and prepare to lift trophies again next season.
“I think we will improve and for Chelsea the only target is to win. For the big clubs, if you have one bad season where you don’t win trophies, you have to bounce back. We are in a big club here and we have to fight again for trophies next season.”
Chelsea host fourth-placed Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in the league on Saturday.
sports@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
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
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Stamp duty timeline
December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
Up to £125,000 - 0%; £125,000 to £250,000 – 2%; £250,000 to £925,000 – 5%; £925,000 to £1.5m: 10%; Over £1.5m – 12%
April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.
July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.
March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.
April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
