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Day: 2 December 2021

F1’s Lando Norris reveals move to Monaco

by: Luke Entwistle
02/12/2021

McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris on Wednesday announced his move to Monaco, joining other racing greats including Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo in becoming residents of the Principality.
The 22-year-old British driver, who currently lives in Guildford, Surrey, shared the news on Twitter, releasing a photo of his new apartment in the Principality.
Having had a successful break-through season at McLaren, he says he feels that now is the time to join his fellow F1 drivers, and team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, in making the move to Monaco. “I currently feel that I’m in a comfortable position to make this decision, and take the time to move there,” he told
As host to the most iconic event on the motorsport calendar, it is no surprise that F1 drivers are lured to the Principality. Norris, however, says that leaving England behind wasn’t an easy decision: “I love England. It probably remains my favourite place, my friends and family are there,” Norris told Motorsport.com. “I think on numerous occasions I’ve said that, for me, taking pleasure, especially in what I do, is a priority with this sort of decision. It therefore isn’t an easy decision.”
Norris didn’t shy away from the fact that his move is, at least in part, financially motivated given Monaco’s low tax rates, citing the volatility of an F1 driver’s career. “It’s something that obviously a lot of drivers go to do and especially, with how racing is, I think we’ve seen for other drivers how quickly things can also go downhill.”


It is this that leaves Norris thinking about his life post-racing: “I have to look after my things for my future… of course, I understand that there’s going to be some criticism, but people do many things in life for money.”
Norris revealed that he will be receiving the keys to the apartment next month, stating, “I am really excited for this next chapter.”
Before that, the new Monaco resident has a fight on his hands to maintain fifth place in the F1 drivers’ standings, with only one point separating the Briton from Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, with only two races to go.
The penultimate race of the season takes place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this weekend, where both Leclerc and Norris will be hoping to secure a positive result.
 
 
Photo source: Lando Norris Twitter
 
 
 

MAM to merge with Swiss company

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/12/2021

Monaco Asset Management has signed a deal with Swiss-based wealth management company Chenton and agreed that within four years, the two companies will be operating jointly.

The deal between Monaco Asset Management (MAM) and Switzerland’s Chenton SA was signed on 15thNovember. The two companies will now begin the merging process, becoming integrated completely within four years.

“MAM and Chenton share a very similar business model, focused on European based UHNWI,” said Anthony Stent-Torriani, Founder and CEO of MAM. “Chenton SA, led by its Founder Alexander Jurgens, fits perfectly in our model.”

Monaco Asset Management has been in business since 1999 and is an independent wealth management company for private and institutional clients. It specialises in discretionary and advisory management and is “free from conflicts of interest.”

Chenton, known for having a conservative approach to investments, has been in operation since 2000 and manages the portfolios of a select group of UHNWI’s.

“Chenton’s integrity and focus on European clients have been its success for more than 20 years,” said Alexander Jurgens, CEO of Chenton. “Joining forces with the MAM team will broaden our investment capabilities and will further strengthen our mutual businesses.”

Gian Luca Braggiotti, Chairman of the Board of MAM added, “For more than 20 years, MAM has been a reference in Monaco for Wealth Management thanks to its competences and ethics. With the participation in Chenton SA, we have become a visible European player.”

 

 

ASM transfer round-up: Tchouaméni, Sidibé, Aktürkoglu

by: Luke Entwistle
02/12/2021

In our latest Monaco transfer round-up, we reveal the latest rumours surrounding the future of the much-coveted Aurélien Tchouaméni, the rumoured surprise departure of Djibril Sidibé, and the potential arrival of a Turkish star.
Aurélien Tchouameni – linked by Tuttosport, Fabrizio Romano to Chelsea. The first edition of the Transfer round-up by Monaco Life revealed Chelsea’s interest in Monaco’s French international midfielder Tchouaméni. Tuttosport, who initially revealed the London club’s interest, are now reporting that a bid, rumoured to be around £50 million, has been launched to secure his signature ahead of a handful of rivals. Fabrizio Romano, a football transfer window journalist, revealed on Tuesday via his ‘Here We Go’ podcast, that Chelsea are now the leading contenders to sign the Frenchman. He added that Manchester United have since dropped out of the race, as their interest declined when it became obvious of Chelsea’s strong desire to sign the player.
It is unclear as to whether AS Monaco would sanction Tchouaméni’s exit in January, or whether this is a story that could potentially rumble-on until the summer. Either way, Tchouaméni’s exit does look like an inevitability, as it is the club’s model to sell young, exciting players at a hefty profit. For Monaco’s sake, they will be hoping that interest from around the continent manifests itself in material bids, thus allowing the Principality side to receive an elevated transfer fee.
Djibril Sidibé – linked by Sport to Barcelona. Another player rumoured to be heading for the exit door is French international and Monaco right wing-back Djibril Sidibé, whose contract expires in the summer. Rumours of Spanish giants Barcelona’s interest comes as a surprise, especially given their recent acquisition of Dani Alves, who would play in the same position. However, with Sidibé’s contract running down, the possibility of signing him as a free agent clearly interests the Catalan side. Sidibé has actually been a long-term target for Barcelona, as they attempted to sign the French international in 2017.
Benoit Badiashile – linked by Gazzetta dello Sport to AC Milan. Under-21 French international Badiashile, having already been previously linked with a move to Tottenham (as revealed in our last edition of the transfer round-up), is now attracting interest from Italy. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Badiashile features on a shortlist of centre-back targets for AC Milan, and although this doesn’t necessarily mean that they will make a move for the player, it is clear that they are admirers.
Kerem Aktürkoglu – linked by Sabah Sport to AS Monaco. The 23-year-old Turkish winger Aktürkogu, valued by his club Galatasaray, at €25 million is a potential target for Nico Kovac’s side. If they are to obtain his signature however, they will have to fend off considerable competition, with interest being shown around Europe, particularly from Olympique Marseille. The Turkish international has already registered three goals in an impressive start to the season.
 
 
Photo of Djibril Sidibé, source AS Monaco football club
 
 
 

December is theatre season for kids

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/12/2021

Looking for something to do with the kids this holiday season? Why not take them to the Théâtre des Muses for some great shows that would make even Ebeneezer Scrooge crack a smile. 
The first show to be presented is A Light for Christmas (Une Lumiere Pour Noel). When P’titbout, decides he wants nothing to do with Christmas this year, a band of unlikely characters follow a light unknowingly emitted from him, leading them directly to his door step and turning the worst Christmas ever into one filled with wonder and magic.
The 40-minute production is suitable for kids aged two to 10 and will be playing on Wednesday 1st December at 4:30pm, Saturday, 4th December at 2:30pm and 4:30 pm, and on Sunday, 5th December at 11am and 3pm.
Next up is the classic tale of Pinocchio. In this interactive adaptation, ingenious staging combines masks, puppets, shadow theatre and magic to bring an edge to the story of the wooden boy who comes to life. True to the original, Pinocchio’s well-intentioned but naïve adventures lead him into a series of scrapes, and not even a friendly cricket who acts as his conscience can save him from himself. In the end, the love of his father brings him right, but in this version, it is up to the audience to decide if Pinocchio should be allowed to become a real boy or to remain a puppet forever.
Pinocchio runs for one hour on Wednesday 8th December at 4:30pm, on Saturday 11th at 2:30pm and 4:30pm, and on Sunday 12th December at 11am and 2:15pm. It is suitable for all ages.
The following show is The Beautiful Smooth Pear of Prince de Motordu. Set in the quirky, topsy-turvy world of a Prince who lives in a giant hat and has a flock of buttons rather than sheep. He battles with snow hens and cushions made of pies, and his life is settled. That is until the odd Princess Dézecolle arrives. Together they forge new paths and create a fun-filled world filled with jokes, poetry and song.
The performances are on Wednesday 15th December at 4:30pm and Saturday 18th December at 2:30 and 4:30pm. There is an additional showing on Sunday 19th at 11am. The play runs 50 minutes and is appropriate for kids four to 10-years-old.
Last up is a musical version of the story of Rudolph. Santa’s most famous reindeer wasn’t always such a hit with his peers and being different wasn’t always fun. The young Rudolph tries at first to run from his problems but finds that what sets him apart is what makes him so special.
Rudolph is perfect for those aged three to nine and the play runs 45 minutes. Performances are on Tuesday 28th December at 4:30pm, Wednesday 29th at 11am and 4:30pm, and Friday 30th December at 4:30pm.
For more info or for tickets, visit the website at https://www.letheatredesmuses.com/programme-enfants/
 
 
 

Nico Kovac: “Our best match of the Ligue 1 season”

by: Luke Entwistle
02/12/2021

A dominant display from Monaco away to Angers secured a potentially season-defining victory following a four-game winless streak in the division, putting them right back in contention for the European places.
Nico Kovac wrung in the changes on a freezing Wednesday night at the Raymond Kopa stadium. In came Gelson Martins and Aurélien Tchouaméni, whilst Myron Boadu, a player whom Kovac told Monaco Life he has full confidence in pre-match despite a barren run, came in to lead the line.
Monaco, in their recently implemented 4-2-3-1 formation started strongly, their intense pressing game allowing them to control the game and win the ball in dangerous places. Djibril Sidibé and Ismail Jakobs, a marauding set of wing-backs, were equally threatening, providing overloads in wide areas.
ASM created a handful of half-chances that went unconverted, but it didn’t take long for the Principality side to take a lead. Boadu, having failed to score in Ligue 1 since his arrival from the Dutch league, latched onto a delicate flick from Kevin Volland, and smartly slotted past Danijel Petković in the Angers goal. The relief for Boadu was clear to see, and during a half-time interview he admitted, “I’ve been waiting a long time for a goal, I need confidence and I would like more.”
Monaco deservedly doubled their lead before half-time. Sofiane Diop, who was having an exquisite game, latched onto another Volland pass, and slotted in from only a couple of yards out.
Angers, having looked passive and uninterested in the first-half, came out rejuvenated at the start of the second. Aleksandr Nübel in the ASM goal was forced into a couple of smart saves, before inadvertently putting the ball into his own goal; the ball ricocheted off the post following an Azzedine Ounahi shot, hit Nübel on the back and rolled over the line.

Nübel was once again centre-stage for what turned out to be the pivotal moment of the match. Angelo Fuljini, with the goal at his mercy with a free header just yards out, couldn’t beat Nübel, whose instincts were razor-sharp to stick-out a hand and deny Angers an equaliser.
Angers would be made to rue that missed chance, as ASM went on to dominate the rest of the match, restoring their two-goal cushion thanks to an Axel Disasi finish not long after. Had Wissam Ben Yedder been more efficient in-front of the goal and converted one of his chances, the scoreline could have been even more emphatic, but Kovac was nevertheless delighted with the comfortable 3-1 win.
“I want to congratulate my players because we dominated almost the entire match,” said Kovac, adding, “I would say that it was our best Ligue 1 performance this season. We need to maintain this level and already concentrate on the Metz match, but today I’m very happy.”
Kovac will be hoping to build on this result and forge a run towards the European places, which are once again within sight. He will have the opportunity to do so as Monaco face Metz at the Stade Louis II on Sunday.
 
 
 
Photo source: AS Monaco football club