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Cardiff signing this promising Ligue 1 starlet would be an outstanding move by Warnock

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Why Almamy Toure would be a brilliant signing for Cardiff City

According to a report from the Wales Online, Cardiff City are interested in signing AS Monaco full-back Almamy Toure.

Almamy Toure, 22, has endured an injury-hit campaign, appearing just five times across all competitions for AS Monaco. The Franco-Malian defender is out of contract this summer and has rejected contract extension offers from the Ligue 1 club so far.

With Almamy Toure having just five months left in his contract, Monaco could be tempted to cash in on him in the January transfer window. Cardiff City have to take utmost advantage of the defender’s contract situation and get a cut-price deal done this month.

The Bluebirds have until Thursday to make any more additions to the squad in order to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Neil Warnock’s side lie in the relegation zone, although just two points adrift of 17th-placed Newcastle United.

Almamy Toure

Almamy Toure

Warnock has made signing a right-back one of his main priorities in January and was left disappointed by Nathaniel Clyne’s decision to join Bournemouth on loan until the end of the season from Liverpool. After Clyne rejected the offer to join Cardiff, the veteran manager has possibly shifted his focus on Almamy Toure, who can also operate in central defence.

The Bluebirds need a bonafide right-back and need to stop depending on makeshift players playing in that position. That’s what makes Toure a great target for Warnock as he looks to reinforce the backline to try and stop leaking goals at an alarming rate.

Toure hasn’t played much in the Ligue 1 this season but is known for his work rate up and down the pitch and would be a welcome addition to the Cardiff City backline. He is not as fast as some of the other top full-backs but he makes up for it with his agility and sharpness.

Composed in possession and a good reader of the game, the 22-year-old also excels in intercepting the play with crucial interceptions and does not hesitate to stick his foot to halt the opposition with solid tackles.

Read more: Cardiff beating Championship biggies to sign this PL outcast could save their season ultimately

Not to forget, Toure can also do an admirable job in central defence and his acquisition would add provide cover as well as competition for the likes of Sol Bamba, Sean Morrison and Bruno Manga. Hence, the signing of the Monaco star would represent a significant piece of business if Cardiff can manage to work out a deal this month.

Arsenal

Classic 2010s Arsenal UCL home loss! The Gunners were stunned the last time they played Monaco at the Emirates

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Arsenal vs. Monaco in 2015

Ahead of Arsenal vs. Monaco in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 group stage, let’s take a look at the last time the two faced off at the Emirates

It’s been almost 10 years since Arsenal and Monaco last faced off in a competitive match. In fact their match at the Emirates during the 2014/15 season was the first-ever competitive match between the two teams.

Having avoided Bayern Munich (back then the Bundesliga giants were a regular opponent for Arsenal in the knockout phases), Arsenal fans were quite relieved when they drew the young and surging Monaco from Ligue 1. However, their joy soon dissipated once the match began.

Arsenal were put to the test by Monaco right from the start

Despite fielding a very strong side, Arsenal were put to the test right from the start by Monaco. The Gunners boasted the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud in the lineup, and were the firm favorites to win the fixture.

However, in the 38th minute, then-Arsenal target Geoffrey Kondogbia put Monaco ahead with an absolute howitzer from long-range. Going into the second-half the scores were 0-1 to Monaco. While the North London club were expected to come out all guns blazing, it was Monaco who struck again, this time through veteran striker Dimitar Berbatov.

The French side were 2-0 up towards the hour mark. While Arsenal kept knocking the door, they couldn’t really get past the sturdy Monaco defense until substitute Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain curled in a beauty from the edge of the box in the added time of the second half. While it was a relief for the Arsenal faithful, their minimal joy soon evaporated as well when a sprinting Yannick Carrasco restored Monaco’s 2-goal lead in the dying minutes of the game, to make it 1-3 to Monaco.

Arsenal had their task cut out in the away leg

As is customary, the 2010s Arsenal, after 2012 to be precise, had a habit of turning up in the away fixtures. And likewise they did. Monaco were treated by the Gunners like a visiting side, as Arsene Wenger’s men kept peppering shots with wave after wave of attacks. In the 36th minute, Arsenal went 0-1 up after good work from Olivier Giroud who lashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Monaco vs. Arsenal in 2015
Monaco vs. Arsenal in 2015 (via Sky Sports)

Knocking on the doors, Arsenal were able to double the lead only in the 79th minute, through Aaron Ramsey. However, the North London club were still a goal behind on away goals. They came inches close to winning the overall tie, but were thwarted by a sharp Danijel Subasic in goal. The match ended 0-2, and Monaco were through on away goals.

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Arsenal

Where are they now: Arsenal substitutes who came on to the pitch the last time they played Monaco back in 2015

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Monaco vs. Arsenal in 2015

Arsenal were desparate when they sent in their substitutes during their last outing against Monaco back in 2015

It’s been close to 10 years since Arsenal and Monaco last faced off. After a shock 1-3 loss at the Emirates in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League, Arsenal were desperate to get off to a rocking start at the Louis II Stadium in the return fixture.

They in fact, began well, with Olivier Giroud giving them the lead in the 36th minute of the first half. The Gunners kept knocking on the door in the second half, but were rewarded only in the 79th minute, through Aaron Ramsey. With one more goal turning the tide in Arsenal’s favor, Monaco’s then-goalkeeper Danijel Subasic stood tall, as the game ended 0-2, with Monaco progressing to the next round on away goals.

Arsenal vs. Monaco in 2015
Arsenal vs. Monaco in 2015 (via ESPN)

In this article we will look at the substitutes who came on for Arsenal against Monaco, and where they are currently.

Aaron Ramsey

Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey
Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey (via Wales Online)

Aaron Ramsey was in his prime at Arsenal. The midfielder joined the club back in 2008, from Cardiff City (his home-country club). After 11 years at Arsenal, Ramsey, in 2019, left for Italian club Juventus. He was there at the club until 2022, but went on loan to Rangers in the first half of the same year (from Juventus). For the 2022/23 season, Ramsey joined Nice of Ligue 1 on a permanent transfer.

The next season, Ramsey returned to his boyhood club Cardiff City, and has been at the club since then.

Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott has to repay the faith that Arsene Wenger has in him
Theo Walcott for Arsenal in 2015 (via Sky Sports)

Theo Walcott had just turned 26 when this match against Monaco took place. The Englishman never really reached the heights many pundits and fans predicted he would reach back in his early days. However, his contributions for Arsenal will never be forgotten.

After almost 12 years for Arsenal at the top level, Walcott joined Everton in 2018. He was a regular starter for the Merseyside club, making over 70 appearances in just over two seasons before leaving to Southampton on loan in 2020/21. Once his loan spell was over, Walcott joined Southampton in 2021. After two years at the club, Walcott announced his retirement at only the age of 34.

Kieran Gibbs

Kieran Gibbs
Kieran Gibbs during his time at Arsenal (via X)

Kieran Gibbs was Arsenal through and through. Having risen through the youth ranks of the North London club, Gibbs turned pro in 2007, when he was hardly 18 years old. In 2008, he was sent on loan to Norwich, and by the early 2010s, Gibbs became a regular starter at the club. Although the starts he was getting at the North Lodon club dwindled once Nacho Monreal arrived, he was always the back up left back, and stepped up to the plate whenever asked to.

After a decade at the Emirates, Gibbs left for West Bromwich Albion in 2017. He was a regular starter for the club, making over 90 appearances until 2021, before leaving to Inter Miami of the MLS. Gibbs hung up his boots in 2023, when he was just 33, having last played for the MLS side.

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AS Monaco

Elena Shtilyanova- Meet The Wife Of Dimitar Berbatov Who Faced Kidnap Threats From Mafia

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Dimitar Berbatov with his wife Elena Shtilyanova. (Picture was taken from standard.co.uk)

Dimitar Berbatov Wife Elena Shtilyanova Wiki- Age, Net Worth, Career, Kids, Family and more

Elena Shtilyanova is famous for being the wife of Bulgarian legend Dimitar Berbatov. Read on to learn more about her nationality, net worth, facts and family.

Elena Shtilyanova is an IS Developer by profession. She has been loyal to Dimitar Berbatov for many years. Apart from being a responsible wife, she is also a caring mother. Despite having major stardom, the Brazilian beauty has always favoured peaceful family time, hence she rarely indulges herself in any media appearances.

She doesn’t like sharing much information with the public and doesn’t let her husband share pictures of her either. That’s why many fans don’t know much about her lifestyle. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about the stunning wife of Dimitar Berbatov.

Elena Shtilyanova Latest News – How Sir Alex Ferguson saved her

https://twitter.com/SoccerSouls/status/1858943012065472981

Did you know a shocking fact about Eleme Shtilyanova, here it is. In 2012, mafia mobsters blackmailed Dimitar Berbatov that they would kidnap his wife and children if he didn’t pay them a sum of £500,000. It was none other than Sir Alex Ferguson who helped the Bulgarian by arranging a private jet for him and his family to return to Manchester safely. (Source: Standard)

Even after returning to Manchester, Berbatov was so worried that he has requested his neighbours to keep a tight watch on his home.

Dimitar Berbatov is a big Premier League icon, considering what he has achieved with Manchester United and Tottenham. The Bulgarian also had a long stint in Bayer Leverkusen. Before coming to England. He has over 250 goals and over 100 assists in his club career. Furthermore, he also captained his national side. Berbatov is known for his superb ball control and his first touch is considered as one the greatest in the history of the beautiful game.                                                                                                         

Elena Shtilyanova Childhood and Family 

Elena was born on February 2, 1980, in Bulgaria, making her a Bulgarian citizen. As said earlier, she is the kind of person who avoided the media her whole life. After she met the love of her life, nothing in the world mattered more to her than spending time with him.

Elena Shtilyanova was born in Bulgaria. (Credit: Pinterest)
Elena Shtilyanova was born in Bulgaria. (Credit: Pinterest)

That’s why there is very little to no information available about her childhood. Her father, Valentin Shtilyanov, used to own a business, but we are unsure about its kind. She has a younger sister with whom she has managed a healthy relationship.

We believe her parents did an excellent job raising her; the ethics and morale that they taught reflect Elena’s characteristics. We are looking for more details about her family and childhood. So stay tuned to know more about the stunning wife of Dimitar Berbatov.                                                            

Elena Shtilyanova Education

Elena went to a local high school in her hometown. Being a studious and hard-working student, she excelled in her studies. The beautiful Bulgarian lady comes with an intelligent mind. She graduated from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria.                                 

Elena Shtilyanova career 

Elena hasn’t shared much about her professional life. Our report suggests that she is an IS Developer at Bulgarian National Bank. She keeps her Instagram profile private, so we didn’t have any luck finding information there either. However, the information we have strongly suggests that she has progressed rapidly in her career. Currently, she is in a stable position and enjoys her role at the bank.  

Elena Shtilyanova works as an IS Developer at Bulgarian National Bank. (Credit: Picture was taken from celebrity.fm)
Elena Shtilyanova works as an IS Developer at the Bulgarian National Bank. (Credit: Picture was taken from celebrity.fm)

She has been a mother for a very long time. As she enjoys hanging with her children and husband at home, she took the role of taking good care of her family. Many think there is no difficulty in being a housewife. Well, the truth is it can be very frustrating and stressful at times.

But the rewards are equally superior. Spending a reasonable amount of time with children, she teaches them good values. Elena is also an excellent wife as she has supported Berbatov throughout his career.                              

Elena Shtilyanova Net Worth 

Elena’s net worth is currently under review. She hasn’t disclosed her earnings. We don’t know anything about her current or past roles, so we have no idea her total worth. However, we believe she earns a significant amount from her bank job. Elena’s husband, Dimitar Berbatov, accumulated a considerable amount of money during his playing time. So his high bank balance ensures a luxurious life for his family.                                       

Elena Shtilyanova and Dimitar Berbatov relationship

Dimitar Berbatov and his wife, Elena Shtilyanova, are long-term love birds as they have been together since Berbatov’s Leverkusen days. The duo hasn’t shared how their love story started. The pair was pretty impressed with each other’s characteristics, and they decided to take the relationship forward after their first meeting.

Dimitar Berbatov and his wife, Elena Shtilyanova, are long term love birds. (Picture was taken from SportMob)
Dimitar Berbatov and his wife, Elena Shtilyanova, are long-term love birds. (Picture was taken from SportMob)

As they began to meet more and more, they realized that they were madly in love. After several years of dating, the pair finally tied the knot in 2018 at a grand wedding ceremony that all their friends and family members attended.                                                            

Elena Shtilyanova and Dimitar Berbatov Children  

Dimitar Berbatov and his wife Elena have two children together. Their first daughter, Dea Berbatova, was born on October 15, 2009. The couple welcomed their second daughter, Elia Berbatova, in 2012.     

Dimitar Berbatov with his wife and daughters. (Picture was taken from eugenehoran.com)
Dimitar Berbatov with his wife and daughters. (Picture was taken from eugenehoran.com)

Elena Shtilyanova Social media 

Elena is not a social media person. Even though she has an Instagram account, she has kept it private. She has maintained a low-key lifestyle and never got around the idea of sharing images of private moments. She even told her husband not to share snaps of their family moments on social media.                    

FAQs about Elena Shtilyanova

When did Elena Shtilyanova and Dimitar Berbatov get married?
They got married in 2018. 
What is Elena Shtilyanova doing now?
She is an IS Developer.  
How old is Elena Shtilyanova?
She is 42 years old.  
Nationality of Elena Shtilyanova?
She is a Bulgarian. 
What is Elena Shtilyanova’s net worth?
Her net worth is unknown. 

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