The former Rajasthan Royals spin bowling coach replaces Sunil Joshi
ESPNcricinfo staff23-Oct-2025
Sairaj Bahutule during a training session•Getty Images
Former India legspinner Sairaj Bahutule has joined Punjab Kings (PBKS) as their new spin bowling coach ahead of the 2026 IPL season. He replaces Sunil Joshi, who held the role from 2023 to 2025.ESPNcricinfo understands Joshi decided to leave as he is set to take over as spin coach at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.”Sairaj’s deep understanding of the game, particularly his extensive experience in grooming domestic bowlers and managing strategy, will be invaluable to our side,” PBKS CEO Satish Menon said. “His expertise aligns perfectly with our vision of building a strong and cohesive bowling unit for the season ahead.”Bahutule joins a backroom team that has Ricky Ponting as head coach, Brad Haddin as assistant coach, James Hopes as the fast bowling coach, and Trevor Gonsalves as assistant bowling coach.”I’m really excited to join Punjab Kings as a spin bowling coach for the upcoming IPL season,” Bahutule said. “This is a team that plays a different brand of cricket, and I can see the potential is massive. They have a bunch of talented players, and I’m looking forward to working with them to refine their skills and help them reach new heights.”Bahutule was the spin bowling coach at Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2025. He had also been RR’s spin bowling coach from 2018 to 2021 before joining the National Cricket Academy and serving as support staff for India A assignments.Bahutule’s exit from RR follows Dravid’s departure from the franchise as head coach. Dravid has been replaced by Kumar Sangakkara.PBKS finished runners-up in IPL 2025 after finishing top of the points table in the league phase. They lost the final to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six runs.
Liverpool head into the Champions League tonight against PSV Eindhoven looking like a bruised animal once more.
Last time out at Anfield, Arne Slot’s Reds were convincingly beaten by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in a 3-0 loss, with the match preceding this humbling defeat on home soil also seeing the Merseyside giants lose by the same emphatic scoreline, away at Manchester City.
Thankfully, the Champions League has been a temporary sanctuary for the reigning Premier League champions, as was evident in their 1-0 win against Real Madrid, the last time they did battle in the illustrious competition.
Therefore, Liverpool will be hoping they can lick their wounds again and beat their Eredivisie opponents later on this evening.
If form doesn’t pick up, though, the January transfer window will be a very apt time to try and find upgrades on the underperformers consistently letting the side down…
Transfer latest at Liverpool
Despite their poor form as of late, the Reds will still see themselves as a significant superpower in any transfer window to come.
After all, a colossal £415m was spent just this summer on a raft of new signings, with fresh rumours now indicating that the Slot and Co. could be prepared to drop another £123m on Bayern Munich ace Michael Olise.
Moreover, Antoine Semenyo remains in their sights as another attacking signing that could boost a side let down by the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz to date.
On top of signings to add to their attacking arsenal, Liverpool are also allegedly looking to do battle with Real Madrid over the services of midfield talent Vitinha, according to emerging reports from Spain.
Indeed, the report elaborates that the La Liga giants are preparing a €150m (£131m) bid for Luis Enrique’s prized asset.
Yet, Liverpool are keen to accelerate a deal, as well, by matching the Los Blancos’ amount, ensuring they could actually eclipse the £125m club-record capture of Alexander Isak.
A next step to the Premier League is noted as being very appealing for the Portugal international, if a statement move were to whir into motion.
Vitinha’s arrival at Anfield might not be the news Ryan Gravenberch wants to read, however, with the classy Paris Saint-Germain number 17 a clear upgrade on the Dutchman, as the 23-year-old has noticeably struggled as of late.
Why Vitinha is a clear upgrade on Gravenberch
Alongside the vast majority of his teammates, Gravenberch has suffered from a notable dip in his performance levels in recent matches.
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Once labelled as being “vital” to the way Liverpool tick earlier in the season by ex-Reds midfielder Steve McManaman, the former Ajax prodigy turned Anfield first-teamer struggled to be an influential presence in back-to-back defeats at the hands of City and Forest, with only four ground duels won in total across 14 attempts, as per Sofascore.
To make matters worse, the underperforming number 38 would also fail to notch up a single key pass, leaving him on just the one paltry assist for the campaign.
While Gravenberch has shown visible signs of decline, Vitinha has continued to stand out on some pressurised stages for Enrique’s men, with this wonderful move – which was kickstarted by the 25-year-old’s fierce burst of pace – in last year’s Champions League final, just one reason why his national team manager in Roberto Martinez has glowingly labelled him the “best midielder in the world.”
In league action for PSG, too, this season, he blows his immediate competition out of the water, with one goal and six assists from 12 games – among other numbers – sticking out immediately to Slot, as he attempts to make Liverpool a vibrant and attractive watch in attack this campaign, again, rather than sticking by their current stifled appearance.
Vitinha vs Gravenberch (25/26 League stats)
Stat – per 90 mins*
Vitinha
Gravenberch
Games played
12
10
Goals scored
1
3
Assists
6
1
Touches*
113.8
74.8
Accurate passes*
98.2 (94%)
54.8 (89%)
Key passes*
1.5
0.7
Big chances created
6
2
Ball recoveries*
4.9
3.5
Stats by Sofascore
It’s not just in the attacking department where Vitinha could improve the downbeat Reds, with the 5-foot-8 playmaker also averaging 4.9 ball recoveries so far this season in Ligue 1, next to Gravenberch’s lesser 3.5.
Of course, the Premier League is a different kettle of fish altogether from the French top division, which PSG consistently dominate.
But, Vitinha has actually shown off his swagger against Liverpool at Anfield, with the “incredible” midfield general – as Enrique has also labelled him – dictating play during PSG’s slim 1-0 away win in the Champions League last campaign when amassing a ridiculous 103 accurate passes.
Worryingly, his Dutch counterpart receded into his shell, with zero accurate dribbles registered, and possession was lost a costly 12 times.
The one-time Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee won’t be moving to England on the cheap, but it could be a splurge worth signing off on, as Slot attempts to reinvigorate his options all over the pitch.
Perfect for Isak: Liverpool make £122m sensation their "dream target"
Liverpool need to make changes in the transfer market once again.
O Flamengo divulgou, na tarde desta terça-feira (23), uma lista de desfalques para a partida contra o Bolívar, pela terceira rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores. Entre as ausências estão Pedro, Arrascaeta, Léo Pereira, Erick Pulgar, Allan, Ayrton Lucas e Varela. Além desses nomes, Everton Cebolinha também segue no Departamento Médico. A partida será disputada na quarta-feira (24), na altitude de La Paz.
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➡️ Mengão vai subir a montanha! Aposte R$100 no Lance! Betting e ganhe R$300 para vitória do Flamengo sobre o Bolívar-BOL
➡️ Tudo sobre o Mengão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Flamengo
Dentre os desfalques do Rubro-Negro, dois sequer viajarão com o grupo para a Bolívia. O volante Allan apresenta traços falcêmicos que podem prejudicar a alta performance em altitude, enquanto Léo Pereira tem quadro viral.
Já Varela, Ayrton Lucas, Erick Pulgar, Arrascaeta e Pedro seguirão planejamento da comissão técnica e não serão relacionados para enfrentar o Bolívar. O técnico Tite tem poupado jogadores nas últimas partidas por conta da minutagem estipulada pelo Flamengo para cada um dos atletas.
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Desta forma, o Rubro-Negro terá oito desfalques ao todo na terceira rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores. Com uma vitória e um empate em dois jogos, equipe ocupa o segundo lugar do Grupo E e está atrás do líder Bolívar, adversário desta quarta-feira (24), que tem 100% de aproveitamento.
Confiante? Aposte na vitória do Flamengo!
Jogando na altitude e com muitos desfalques, o Flamengo é azarão para a partida, segundo as odds do Lance! Betting. Apostando R$ 100 na vitória do Mengão, você pode levar R$ 300 para casa na cotação de 3,00 do Rubro-Negro!
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Confira, na íntegra, a nota do Flamengo sobre os desfalques para o jogo contra o Bolívar, pela Libertadores:
يخوض فريق ريال مدريد مباراة مساء اليوم الأربعاء، ضمن مباريات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2025-2026، حين يواجه نظيره أتلتيك بلباو.
ويلعب ريال مدريد المباراة خارج أرضه، حيث يستقبله أتلتيك بلباو، بملعب “سان ماميس” في مباراة مقدمة من الجولة التاسعة عشر للدوري الإسباني “الليجا”.
(محدث) تشكيل ريال مدريد أمام أتلتيك بلباو في الدوري الإسباني.. موقف فينيسيوس
وأعلن ريال مدريد إصابة لاعبه فيرلاند ميندي ليغيب عن المواجهة أمام أتلتيك بلباو، كما يغيب كل من داني كارفاخال، دين هويسن للاصابة.
ويحتل ريال مدريد المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، برصيد 33 نقطة، بعدما تعادل في الجولة الرابعة عشر مع جيرونا بهدف لمثله.
وانفرد برشلونة بصدارة ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 37 نقطة، مستفيدًا من فوزه أمام أتلتيكو مدريد بثلاثية لهدف، في مباراة مقدمة أيضًا من الجولة التاسعة عشر لليجا. تشكيل ريال مدريد المتوقع أمام أتلتيك بلباو
Celtic are currently searching for their permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers, who resigned last month, but there have yet to be any reports that suggest that an appointment is close.
Martin O’Neill has been in interim charge at Parkhead, winning three of his four matches in the dugout, but it remains to be seen whether or not the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership will be his last outing.
Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen, Cardiff’s Brian Barry-Murphy, and Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy are among the managers who have been linked with the vacant job in Glasgow.
However, no deal has been agreed with any of those candidates at the time of writing, which is why it is unclear as to whether or not O’Neill will still be in the dugout after the international break.
Whilst there is plenty of speculation over who the next manager is going to be, and understandably so, there has also been speculation over what the club could do in the January transfer window.
One player who has recently been linked with a possible move to Parkhead is Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson, but it is a move that may not make too much sense for the Hoops.
Why Celtic should avoid a deal for Andy Robertson
It was recently reported that the Scotland international is ‘open’ to the idea of putting pen to paper on a pre-contract agreement with Celtic in January, which would see him sign for the club on a free transfer next summer.
The left-footed star’s contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season, opening the door to a potential exit from Liverpool, and it appears as though a move to Parkhead could be on the cards.
At face value, signing a 31-year-old star who has won two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy, on top of delivering 68 assists in 314 games for the Reds, would be a phenomenal piece of business for the Hoops.
Robertson, who assisted 12 goals in the Premier League in the 2019/20 campaign (Transfermarkt), is an attack-minded left-back who would bring quality, experience, and creativity at left-back.
However, Celtic already signed Kieran Tierney, who spent six years at Arsenal, to provide those three things when they brought him back to the club earlier this year on a free transfer.
25/26 Premiership
Kieran Tierney
Percentile rank vs FBs
xG
0.67
Top 10%
Goals
1
Top 20%
xA
1.48
Top 10%
Successful crosses
13
Top 10%
Chances created
13
Top 10%
Assists
2
Top 1%
Cross accuracy
52%
Top 1%
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, the Scottish defender has been one of the best attack-minded full-backs in the Premiership so far this season, which shows that he has provided the expected creativity.
Tierney is three years younger than Robertson and signing another left-back who will want to play week-in-week-out and offer the same qualities may not be a logical move for the Hoops.
Meanwhile, though, the Scottish giants have been linked with another Premier League defender who would be a better signing than the Liverpool full-back.
Celtic offered chance to sign Premier League defender
According to 67HailHail, Celtic have been made aware of the potential availability of three Chelsea players ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
The report claims that Deivid Washington, Raheem Sterling, and Axel Disasi are all set to move on from Stamford Bridge for the second half of the season, as they do not feature in Enzo Maresca’s plans in London.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
67HailHail adds that there is nothing at this stage to suggest that the Hoops will definitely make a move for any of those three players, but the club have been offered the chance to swoop for the Chelsea outcasts.
Disasi is possibly the most intriguing name on the list because of the long-term injury that central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers recently sustained.
The £80k-per-week France international could come in as an even better signing than Robertson in January, if the Hoops decide to dip into the Premier League to make an addition to their defence.
Why Celtic should sign Axel Disasi
Carter-Vickers suffered an Achilles injury against Sturm Graz in the Europa League and is expected to be out of action for up to five months, which means that he may not return until March.
That has come as a big blow for the Hoops because he is the first-choice right-sided centre-back and it is has left Auston Trusty and Liam Scales, two left-footed players, as the first-choice pairing.
Whilst the Hoops have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Premiership, Scales and Trusty struggled in the 3-1 loss to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, as the hosts created four ‘big chances’ and 2.73 xG.
Therefore, bringing in a right-footed centre-back with European experience in January could make a lot of sense for Celtic with Carter-Vickers’ injury situation, which is why Disasi could be an excellent signing.
Whilst the Hoops, for the aforementioned reasons, have little need to push the boat out for Robertson, who is reportedly on £160k-per-week, the Chelsea centre-back could be worth the wages to sign him on loan to fill a glaring hole.
24/25 Champions League
Axel Disasi
Appearances
3
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.7
Ball recoveries per game
3.7
Dribbled past per game
0.3x
Ground duel success rate
55%
Aerial duel success rate
80%
Error led to shot, goal, or penalty
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Disasi put in a few dominant performances in the Champions League for Aston Villa on loan in the second half of last season, showing that he can compete at the top level in Europe.
The 27-year-old star also made 13 appearances in the Premier League, per Sofascore, and won 62% of his aerial duels, whilst completing 90% of his attempted passes, featuring at both right-back and centre-back.
Disasi, who was described as a “complete” and “dominant” defender by talent scout Jacek Kulig, also put in a performance against Manchester City last year that was heralded as the best Jamie Carragher had seen that campaign, which is further evidence of his potential to deliver high-quality performances at the top level.
The right-footed star, therefore, could be an excellent signing to fill the hole created by the injury to Carter-Vickers because the Chelsea outcast is a Premier League and Champions League-proven defender, who should be in the prime years of his career at the age of 27.
Dream for Maeda: 4-3-3 boss now a frontrunner to replace Rodgers at Celtic
As Celtic search for a new manager, the board’s top target is reportedly now the “frontrunner” for job and would be the dream hire for Daizen Maeda.
ByBen Gray Nov 14, 2025
For whatever reason, possibly due to the volume of players signed by the Blues, Disasi has become available to the Hoops in January and they should take advantage of that, because he would be an even better signing than Robertson, based on the team’s current needs.
Director of cricket declares Brook to be ‘better leader’ than Pope after promotion to vice-captaincy
Vithushan Ehantharajah24-Sep-2025
Chris Woakes’ shoulder injury ruled him out of the Ashes, and at 37, Key doesn’t envisage further call-ups•Getty Images
England men’s managing director Rob Key has called time on Chris Woakes’ Test career after the seamer was overlooked for the Ashes, while also stating Harry Brook’s credentials as “a better leader” led to him replacing Ollie Pope as vice-captain.Key was speaking 24 hours after England announced their 16-man squad for this winter’s tour of Australia. While the presence of Will Jacks was the only surprising name in the touring party, the absence of Woakes and a new deputy to Ben Stokes – which had been teased by head coach Brendon McCullum – were the main talking points in an otherwise predictable touring party.Woakes is a veteran of two previous Ashes tours. Though he possesses an average of 51.68 in Australia, he had enjoyed a new lease of life as England’s attack leader following James Anderson’s retirement at the start of the 2024 summer. Of his 62 caps, 17 have come during Stokes’ reign, with 62 wickets at an average of 27.25. That includes a player-of-the-series performance in 2023’s home Ashes, in which he was parachuted in for the final three Tests, and claimed 19 dismissals to help England square the series from 2-0 down.This summer, Woakes and Mohammed Siraj were the only quicks to start all five matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy. However, he badly dislocated his shoulder on day one of the fifth Test at The Kia Oval. Having come out to bat in a sling on the thrilling final morning of the match, he subsequently opted against surgery to give himself the best chance of making the Ashes.England’s management, however, felt Woakes was too much of a risk. And with the seamer turning 37 in March, and out of a central contract next month, Key revealed he will not feature in their plans beyond the Ashes.Brook is deemed the better option to lead England in Stokes’ absence•Getty Images
“It’s been as tough a time for someone, I think, in cricket terms, the timing of it (the shoulder dislocation) as much as anything else, and the chance of reoccurence for the immediate future for Chris Woakes,” Key said.”He was running out of time to be ready for the start for the Ashes. And then once you get out of an Ashes series, you’re often looking at the next cycle, really. So Chris Woakes isn’t in our plans at the minute… at all.”Brook’s elevation to vice-captain was the other big decision for the selectors. Key revealed that he, McCullum and Stokes had spoken to Pope ahead of the announcement, but said the move had no bearing on whether he would make way for Jacob Bethell at No.3, when the Ashes get underway at Perth on November 21.Pope had previously stood in as Test captain on five occasions, most recently in the Oval Test against India. However, England have been impressed with how Brook has taken to the limited-overs captaincy since replacing Jos Buttler in March. This extra responsibility confirms him as the likeliest candidate to take over from Stokes in the long term, as well as being the best short-term replacement in Australia should the captain miss any Ashes action through injury.”It’s pretty simple, really – we think (Brook) is the best person for the job,” Key said. “He has had more experience now in leadership and I think that Harry Brook deserves it. There are no other ulterior motives, other than the fact that we think Harry Brook is the best person to be the best vice-captain.”I think he (Pope) felt that it was coming. Vice-captaincy is not always the most important decision you have to make. We could have gone down the road of not having a vice-captain. When Popey has done it, he’s done it well. He’s fitted into so many different roles that we’ve asked him to do over the past few years and done them all well. Harry Brook is just the better leader and will be the better leader going forward, so that’s why he gets that job.”Pope has been a stable presence as Stokes’ deputy, averaging just under 40, and 41.60 at first-drop, while also standing in as wicketkeeper on five occasions. But he has come under increasing pressure from the emergence of 21-year-old Jacob Bethell, who sowed the seeds of change with an impressive showing at No.3 in New Zealand last year.Related
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Bethell managed just 6 and 5 in his only subsequent Test appearance – under Pope’s captaincy at The Oval. However, he emerged from the summer with credit despite limited playing time, scoring a maiden professional century in the ODI series against South Africa, before becoming England’s youngest-ever captain on the recent T20I tour of Ireland. Further opportunities to state his case will come in October’s white-ball tour of New Zealand that will be used to build towards Australia.Such has been the consistency of the Pope-Bethell debate that Stokes accused the media of an “agenda” against the former earlier this summer. Key, however, said such conversations were inevitable at the sharp end of the international game, as is the possibility of Pope losing his spot to a player who may be deemed a better option against Australia.”I just think it’s international cricket,” he said. “If it’s not Ollie Pope, it’s someone else. There’s always a talking point and things like that drive interest towards the game. Someone like Ollie Pope has played really well in a tough position, he has had to deal with this all along, as have any players when they have lost a bit of form. That’s part and parcel of being an international cricketer. That is why it’s tough.”There is not, like, an elaborate scheme where, if we take the vice-captaincy off Ollie Pope, it makes him easier to drop. It doesn’t matter if you are vice-captain or not. If we don’t feel you are the right person wherever you are batting – whether that’s an opener or No.5 – we’ll end up bringing in someone we think can do the job better.Looking ahead to the Perth Test in just under two months’ time, Key added: “Ollie Pope is the man in possession. We’ll find out what that XI will be, probably two days before.”
Único invicto do Paulistão 2024, o Palmeiras se classificou para a semifinal após golear a Ponte Preta por 5 a 1 no último sábado na Arena Barueri.
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Há 19 jogos sem saber o que é derrota, a maior série invicta da era Abel Ferreira, o Verdão pode chegar na grande final do Estadual de maneira invicta pelo terceiro ano seguido.
O atual bicampeão Estadual só não faturou os últimos dois títulos de maneira invicta pois acabou perdendo a primeira final para São Paulo e Água Santa, respectivamente.
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Em 2024, o Verdão também só pode chegar na final de maneira invicta, uma vez que se passar do Novorizontino, terá vencido no tempo normal ou empatado e passado nas penalidades máximas.
O Paulistão não tem um campeão invicto há 14 anos. O último time a conquistar o Estadual sem perder foi o Corinthians de Mano Menezes, em 2009, quando a fórmula de disputa da competição era outra, e o maior rival do Verdão terminou a competição com 13 vitórias e 10 empates.
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O Palmeiras faturou o Paulista de maneira invicta por três oportunidades (1926, 1932 e 1972) e caso fature este tricampeonato histórico, alcançaria uma marca que não chega há mais de 50 anos.
Em 13 jogos neste Paulista, o time de Abel Ferreira acumula nove vitórias e quatro empates, sendo disparado a equipe de melhor campanha no acúmulo geral da competição.
AC Milan have now reportedly dropped their price for Rafael Leao, with Arsenal now preparing to accelerate their interest to sign the impressive Portuguese winger.
The Gunners couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the Premier League campaign, but their recent run of clean sheets finally came to an end against Sunderland.
After over 13 hours, David Raya finally picked the ball out the back of his own net courtesy of Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard. And like London buses, when one arrived, another soon followed with the Black Cats netting a last-gasp equaliser through Brian Brobbey.
Slipping up for the first time since drawing against Manchester City at the end of September, Arsenal’s recent run of form has been nothing short of excellent.
Speaking about the draw at full-time, Mikel Arteta told reporters: “The last feeling is disappointment and frustration because we wanted the three points. We had to navigate through a really tough game, we knew that. It was very disruptive; we have to deal with situations that are difficult to deal with.
“They did really well and we conceded a goal that is not in our standards, but after that I think the team reacted really well, showed a lot of personality and courage.
“They scored the first goal, they scored the second goal, we had totally dominated the game and then you have to rely on defending the box when they start to commit six or seven players there.”
Up next, Arsenal have the small matter of the North London derby in a game that represents the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways. It also represents the start of an all-important week, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich following the Tottenham Hotspur clash over a seven-day period after the international break.
It’s the type of period that Arsenal’s stars are made for and the type that Leao could soon get the chance to enjoy following the latest transfer reports.
Arsenal accelerate Leao move after learning latest discount
According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are now ready to accelerate their move to sign Leao after AC Milan dropped their price tag to around €85m (£75m) from the winger’s €150m release clause.
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Milan’s hierarchy is reportedly preparing for the possibility that negotiations between Leao and themselves over a new contract could yet stall and have adjusted their price tag as a result. As things stand, the Portugal international has until 2028 until his current contract runs out, but Milan’s updated stance suggests that he may not see out the final three years of that deal.
League stats 25/26
Rafael Leao
Bukayo Saka
Minutes
453
681
Goals
4
3
Assists
1
0
Successful Take-ons
5
17
When compared to Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s interest in Leao begins to make sense. On the opposite flank to the England international, the Milan star has already been involved in five league goals in just 453 minutes this season – the same as around five games.
Described as “crazy” by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry in 2023, Leao is a star who’s ready to take the Premier League and The Emirates by storm.
5/10 Arsenal star had his worst game all season against Sunderland
He joined Leicestershire on loan after The Hundred prior to joining full time next season
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay24-Sep-2025
Stevie Eskinazi’s first-day century anchored Leicestershire•Getty Images
Leicestershire 392 for 7 (Eskinazi 150*, Tattersall 47, Patel 44, Budinger 44) vs NorthamptonshireStephen Eskinazi hit an excellent unbeaten 150, his first century for his new county Leicestershire as the Division Two champions pressed home their advantage on day one of this Rothesay County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.Former Middlesex batter Eskinazi, who joined Leicestershire on loan after The Hundred prior to joining full time next season, led a fightback after pacer George Scrimshaw’s double strike reduced the visitors to 122 for 4 at lunch.Eskinazi shared a fifth-wicket stand worth 98 off 145 balls with Jonny Tattersall (47) before adding 76 with Liam Trevaskis (37), and 64 with Logan van Beek (26). His 150 was his highest Championship score since 2018, Leicestershire closing on 392 for 7.Northamptonshire spinner Rob Keogh, who bowled with a lot of drift either side of tea, accounted for both Tattersall and Cox and finished with figures of 2 for 44.Leicestershire had got off to a flyer in the morning, Sol Budinger smashing five fours and two sixes in his 44 in an opening stand of 70 with Rishi Patel (44), but Scrimshaw (2 for 80) arrested their rapid early progress with two wickets in two overs.It was a determined display with the ball from Northamptonshire’s youthful looking attack, but they were left to rue periods in both afternoon and evening sessions when they erred in line and length, allowing Leicestershire’s batters to settle and get back into the game after the early fall of wickets.Earlier Northamptonshire almost broke through with the day’s first delivery when Patel edged Justin Broad to first slip, Saif Zaib shelling a regulation chance, Budinger then inside-edging Ben Whitehouse just past leg stump.But Leicestershire soon found runs easy to come by, Budinger pulling Whitehouse for six and crashing his next ball through extra cover, while Patel pulled and cut Scrimshaw for back-to-back boundaries.Budinger brought up Leicestershire’s 50 in style, pulling Scrimshaw over fine leg for six but was undone by a fine delivery from Broad which nipped back to trap him lbw as he moved across his stumps.Skipper Ian Holland (4) played the anchor role as Patel accelerated, coming down the ground to attack teenage spinner Nirvan Ramesh.But Scrimshaw’s dual strike removed Holland when he edged behind, cutting too close to his body and Patel who miscued a straight pull, Whitehouse taking the catch as he ran across to mid-off.Ramesh then got among the wickets when Lewis Hill bottom edged a sweep, keeper Lewis McManus taking a sharp catch behind the stumps.After lunch though Leicestershire grew increasingly comfortable, Tattersall taking back-to-back boundaries off a wayward Ramesh, while Eskinazi meted out similar treatment to Broad. Scrimshaw meanwhile was guilty of offering too much width, Tattersall prospering as he collected consecutive boundaries.Ezkinazi brought up Leicestershire’s 200 runs in the 48th over before punching Whitehouse through the covers to bring up his half-century.Tattersall though fell just short of his fifty when he edged behind off Keogh, the ball ballooning up off the keeper’s gloves, Broad taking a juggling catch at first slip.Ezkinazi continued to accumulate, smashing Whitehouse through extra cover, while reverse sweeping Keogh for four more.Ben Cox (20) deposited a Whitehouse full toss over deep square leg for four and almost collected a six off Zaib, only for some sharp boundary work from James Sales which saved five runs. Keogh though struck on the brink of tea, spinning one back in to bowl Cox and leave Leicestershire on 252 for 6.After tea Ezkinazi hit Keogh over long-on for six to move into the nineties before running a single to move to his tenth first-class ton off 168 balls.When Justin Broad took the second new ball, Eskinazi responded by stroking three silky cover boundaries in an over. Trevaskis, who had struck Keogh down the ground for back-to-back boundaries, departed though when he flashed outside off-stump against Whitehouse, nicking a catch through to second slip.New batter van Beek made the most of a reprieve when he was dropped in the slips off Broad, crunching the bowler for consecutive boundaries down the ground.With his 150 in sight, Eskinazi was given a life when Scrimshaw bowled him, only to be called no ball for overstepping, and duly brought up the milestone soon afterwards.