Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich
The most effective striker in the Bundesliga for the past three years, the Poland spearhead has left Borussia Dortmund, who he helped to titles in 2011 and 2012, to join Bayern. His style, mostly effective on the counter-attack, may need adapting. Pep Guardiola’s Bayern sometimes played with no target man last season.
Stefan Kiessling, Bayer Leverkusen
Kiessling scored five goals in the German Cup last weekend and another in Bayer Leverkusen’s Uefa Champions League play-off win in Copenhagen. His record as a Bundesliga finisher is excellent, but he has just six Germany caps. His relationship with national coach Joachim Loew is strained but, with Miroslav Klose retired from international football, there may be a vacancy.
Christoph Kramer, Borussia Monchengladbach
Before June, Kramer, 23, had never played a competitive international. The next month he was starting in a World Cup final, thrust into the limelight thanks to Sami Khedira’s injury in the warm-up. Ambitious and self-confident, the midfielder needs a strong club season to follow up his breakthrough summer. He is on loan at Monchengladbach from Leverkusen.
Thiago Alcantara, Bayern Munich
Thiago was Guardiola’s most wanted recruit for Bayern a year ago. Surplus at Barcelona, the midfielder showed signs of why his coach rates him so highly, of his potential to govern Bayern’s passing game. But he also spent long periods injured and a knee problem keeps him out of the first month of this season. After that, he needs to impose himself as the natural replacement for the departed Toni Kroos.
Nicklas Bendtner, Wolfsburg
Bendtner, 26, the Dane with attitude, has ended a long association with Arsenal where, as a teenager, a brilliant career was forecast but where he only rarely delivered. Loaned out several times, he needs to rebuild his career and has time to do so. Disciplinary issues partly led to an unhappy end to his Premier League days. Wolfsburg may be the right sort of place for him to refocus.
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Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
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The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Team Angel Wolf Beach Blast takes place every Wednesday between 4:30pm and 5:30pm
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST
Premier League
Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm
Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm
Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm
Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm
Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)
Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm
Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm
Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm
Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm
Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm
Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm
Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm
Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm
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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.
