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O goleiro Cássio se despediu do Corinthians após 12 anos vestindo a camisa alvinegra. Em entrevista coletiva realizada no CT Joaquim Grava, o atleta agradeceu o clube pela oportunidade e pelas conquistas que teve, e afirmou que agora é o momento de um novo desafio na carreira, mas negou que ir para o banco de reservas tivesse sido crucial para a decisão de deixar o Timão.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! Corinthians no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Timão

➡️ Acredita que o Timão avançará em primeiro no grupo da Sul-Americana? Se liga nas odds: 1.53

– Acho que foi uma série de situações. Em certo momento, você entende que seu ciclo acabou e estou tranquilo quanto a isso. No começo do ano, tive uma possibilidade de sair e entendi que naquele momento não era a hora. Acho que nesse momento é hora de ter um novo desafio na minha carreira, e sair bem, sabe? Não estou saindo porque fui para o banco, e sim por entender que o ciclo acabou. Eu fui outras vezes para o banco, em 2016, e não saí por isso – disse o goleiro.

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos do Brasileirão

Cássio se diz feliz com a fase da carreira, afirma que sai tranquilo do clube e também como gostaria.

– Honestamente, todas as festas feitas, todas as homenagens, não tenho dúvida que saí pela porta da frente. Jogo de despedida é para quem vai se aposentar, na minha opinião. Não tenho dúvida que saio pela porta da frente, não é o que muitos imaginavam, mas não controlamos o futuro. Até brinquei com alguns funcionários, achava que eles iam sair antes. Agora saio em paz, com tranquilidade, olha todo o carinho que recebi, não tive atrito com ninguém, foi tudo conversado – afirmou o goleiro.

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+ Corinthians oficializa saída de Cássio: veja o que sabemos sobre a rescisão do goleiro

Cássio acertou sua rescisão com o Corinthians e irá atuar no Cruzeiro até o fim de 2027. Para antecipar a sua saída do Corinthians, Cássio e Carlos Leite, representante do atleta, abriram mão de alguns valores que tinham a receber da equipe do Parque São Jorge. 

Sobre a questão financeira em relação a sua saída, Cássio se limitou a dizer que está tudo bem resolvido, e que os responsáveis cuidarão disso.

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– Essa situação foi muito bem gerida com o presidente e diretoria. Isso nunca foi problema, em todo o tempo que estive aqui e tudo foi muito bem resolvida. Essa é uma parte que quem cuida são meus empresários e advogados e tudo correu tranquilamente.

O presidente do Corinthians, Augusto Melo, falou brevemente sobre a saída do goleiro. O mandatário, aliás, prometeu um busto em homenagem ao goleiro, que será eternizado no Parque São Jorge.

– Dia triste para nós corintianos, mas faz parte. Nessas horas, não temos palavras para descrever a emoção e tristeza. Agraço a essa pessoa fantástica que convivi, um grande homem e ídolo que ao longo desses 12 anos aprendi a admirar e torcer. Obrigado, Cássio. Obrigado pelos títulos maravilhosos, por entrar na história, você estará eternamente em nossos corações e será lembrado todos os dias quando entrarmos no CT. É um ciclo que se encerra e que você seja muito feliz.

Com 712 jogos disputados com o manto alvinegro – sendo o goleiro que mais atuou –, Cássio é um dos maiores ídolos da centenária história do clube. Ao todo, foram nove títulos conquistados: quatro Paulistas (2013, 2017, 2018 e 2019), dois Brasileiros (2015 e 2017), uma CONMEBOL Libertadores (2012), um Mundial de Clubes FIFA (2012) e uma CONMEBOL Recopa (2013).

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CorinthiansFutebol Nacional

كشف هاني زهران محامي رمضان صبحي، تطورات موقف اللاعب بشأن الأزمة التي يعيشها لاعب فريق الأهلي السابق وبيراميدز الحالي.

وكان رمضان صبحي قد تم حسبه على خليفة قضيةالتزوير نتيجة دخول أحد الأشخاص مكانه لأداء الامتحانات في أحد المعاهد المصرية.

كما تم إعلان إيقافه لمدة 4 سنوات بسبب التلاعب في عينة المنشطات الخاصة به من قبل المحكمة الرياضية الدولية.

وقال زهران خلال تصريحات لبرنامج “نمبر وان” المذاع على قناة سي بي سي”: “أمامنا 30 يومًا للطعن على قرار المحكمة الرياضية بإيقاف رمضان صبحي أربع سنوات، (رمضان ما يستاهلش يبطل كورة)، هو لم يتعاطَ أي منشطات”.

وأضاف: “نخوض الطريق لآخره للدفاع عن رمضان صبحي، وبإذن الله ربنا يوفقنا في هذه الخطوة، ونسبة احتمالية قبول الطعون في المحكمة الفيدرالية السويسرية لا تتعدى 7%”.

طالع | قرار عاجل من محمود الخطيب بشأن أزمة “حبس وإيقاف” رمضان صبحي

وتابع: “وفي حالة عدم التوفيق سنصعّد القضية، ومن الممكن أن نلجأ للمحكمة الأوروبية لحقوق الإنسان في قضية رمضان صبحي”.

وأكمل: “لم يحدث تواصل مؤخرًا مع النادي الأهلي في قضية رمضان حتى الآن، ممكن يكون مع أسرة رمضان، لكن لم يحدث تواصل معي من النادي الأهلي حتى الآن”.

Arsenal star Declan Rice has had his say on summer signing Cristhian Mosquera as Mikel Arteta waits to discover the extent of his injury problem.

Arsenal defeat Brentford 2-0 to maintain 18-game unbeaten run

The Gunners restored their five-point advantage at the Premier League summit with a straightforward victory over Brentford on Wednesday evening.

Mikel Merino’s early header and Bukayo Saka’s stoppage-time finish secured all three points to extend the Gunners’ unbeaten streak to 18 matches, but Arteta faces mounting injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.

The manager watched Mosquera hobble off just before halftime after landing awkwardly during an aerial challenge with Kevin Schade.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham

Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Brentford

The defender immediately signalled discomfort and was unable to continue, with Jurrien Timber entering as his replacement to partner Piero Hincapie in central defence.

Arsenal’s defensive problems have now intensified with both regular starters William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes already sidelined through injury, leaving Arteta with severely limited options at the back during a congested festive fixture schedule.

That being said, the good news is that Saliba is expected to be back in a ‘matter of days’, according to Arteta in his pre-Brentford press conference.

If the Frenchman is fit and available for Villa, Arsenal will have little choice but to thrust Saliba right back into the starting eleven to partner Hincapie, with Gabriel still weeks away from returning.

Mikel Arteta says "very powerful" Arsenal star has took him completely by surprise

He wasn’t expecting it.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 3, 2025

The situation worsened against Brentford when Rice gestured toward his right calf before receiving treatment and departing in the 83rd minute. Viktor Gyokeres replaced the influential midfielder as concerns grew about the England international’s availability for crucial upcoming fixtures.

Luckily for Arteta, Rice has managed to avoid a serious injury and is expected to be fit for their upcoming Premier League clash against Unai Emery’s men in-form Villa side.

Supporters can breathe a massive sigh of relief after this news, but they’re still waiting to find out about Mosquera’s condition.

Declan Rice praises Cristhian Mosquera amid Arsenal injury scare

Speaking to Sky Sports before Arsenal’s win over Brentford, Rice explained exactly why the Spaniard could end up being a sore miss — especially with Saliba currently absent and a doubt for this weekend.

The England international, who has been their arguable player of the season so far, told Sky that Mosquera is an “incredible” player with “immense” qualities alongside Hincapie.

This high praise comes as further evidence of what many already know — Mosquera has proved to be one of the bargains of the summer.

Signed for just £13 million from Valencia, the 21-year-old has done exactly what has been required of him whilst barely ever faltering.

Mosquera was handed his Premier League debut in a testing 1-0 defeat at Anfield in August, the club’s last defeat in all competitions, and he performed admirably at a very difficult ground after replacing the injured Saliba.

The youngster has attracted major praise whenever he’s been asked to fill in for one of Arsenal’s first choice pairing, with Martin Keown claiming that Mosquera has ‘the same DNA’ as both Saliba and Gabriel.

Arsenal will now be praying that his development isn’t stifled by a serious long-term injury, and the club are reportedly convinced that Mosquera could become one of the best centre-backs in world football.

There was controversy and confusion during Pakistan A’s win over India A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars on November 16, when a relay catch between India A fielders Nehal Wadhera and Naman Dhir was given not out by the third umpire.Pakistan A opener Maaz Sadaqat took on India A spinner Suyash Sharma at the start of the 10th over of the chase, looking to clear the cow corner boundary. Wadhera ran to his right from deep midwicket and caught the ball, but, before momentum took him over the boundary rope, lobbed it towards Dhir, who was running back from long-on.The third umpire deemed the catch not legal, because of the interpretation of the new ICC rules about fielders making contact with the ball after jumping from outside the boundary.The new rule, which has been in effect since June this year, states that if a fielder jumps from beyond the rope and makes contact with the ball, he then has to first land back within the field of play for it to be out.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

In the case of the Wadhera-Dhir catch, Wadhera clearly caught the ball and released it while still within the field of play. Even though his foot was in the air over the rope, it was still considered within the field of play according to the rules, as he had not grounded his foot beyond the rope.He tossed the ball to Dhir and then stepped over the boundary rope and outside the field of play. It should not have mattered that he landed outside the rope as he was not in contact with the ball after going beyond the rope. It also should not have mattered that he was outside the rope when Dhir took the catch. So even by the new rules, the catch should have been given out.ESPNcricinfo checked with two experienced international umpires and both confirmed the decision taken was a misinterpretation of the laws by the third umpire to rule this not out.So Wadhera and Dhir were unlucky to have their catch disallowed. Subsequently, the umpires also incorrectly ruled it a dot ball, and not a six.Sadaqat, who was batting on 56 at the time, finished unbeaten on 79 as Pakistan A chased the target of 137 in the 13.2 overs.

Arne Slot has confirmed that he will be holding talks with Mohamed Salah at the end of a mutinous week at Liverpool, but has stopped short of announcing whether or not the Egyptian forward has a role to play in the Reds’ Premier League clash with Brighton. Salah was dropped for a Champions League trip to Inter after speaking out against the club.

• What Salah said in explosive outburst against Liverpool & Slot

  Two-time title winner Salah, who has spent eight memorable years on Merseyside, has not taken kindly to seeing bench duty across three consecutive top-flight fixtures. He saw no game time as Liverpool were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw away at Leeds.

  Speaking to reporters after that contest at Elland Road, as his restricted role and working relationship with Slot were addressed, Salah said: "Now I'm sitting on the bench and I don't know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That's how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame. I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am in the bench for three games so I can't say they keep the promise.

  "I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship. I don't know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club."

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• GOAL
  

  Private talks: Slot to sit down with frustrated Salah

  Having faced plenty of criticism for airing his grievances in public, Salah was subsequently left out of a 1-0 victory over Inter at San Siro in elite European competition. He will be heading off on Africa Cup of Nations duty once a meeting with Brighton is taken in on Saturday.

  Quizzed on whether Salah will be involved against the Seagulls, Dutch tactician Slot said of collective plans at Anfield: "What I need is a conversation with him and the next time I speak about Mo should be with him and not in here. There's not much more I can say. I speak to him today and the outcome determines how things will look tomorrow.

  "You can try (the question) in multiple ways but I said the next time I speak about him should be with him. I think there's been a lot of conversation since last week between his representatives and ours."

  Asked if Salah needs to say sorry to anyone that he has offended, Slot added: "An apology? Normally I'd say you've had your three questions!"

• Do Liverpool want Salah to say? Slot answers future question

  Liverpool’s manager went on to say when quizzed again on his talismanic No.11 and whether the 250-goal forward has a long-term future with the Reds: "Who made the call (to leave Salah out of squad for Inter)? I think we decided as a club and I was part of that not to take him to Inter. I am always in contact with them with line up and squads, that is always left to me. I talk to Richard Hughes more than Michael Edwards, we speak about many things.

  "Do I want him to stay? Another way of asking but the next time I speak about Mo will be with him. I have no reasons not to want him to stay."

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  Transfer rumours: Salah linked with Saudi Pro League clubs

  Salah only committed to a two-year contract extension with Liverpool back in April, with the reigning PFA Player of the Year intended to remain on Merseyside through to the summer of 2027 – taking him to a decade of service with the Reds.

  Serious questions are now being asked of whether that deal will be honoured, with big-spending teams in the Saudi Pro League reportedly ready to test the Reds’ resolve when another transfer window swings open in January. If Salah really does feel as though he is being forced out, as he becomes a supposed scapegoat for struggles in 2025-26, then the 33-year-old will likely open himself up to discussions with interested parties.

The draw for the 2026 World Cup is finally over! After what seemed like an eternity, the real business finally got underway in Friday's ceremony in Washington DC, with Rio Ferdinand leading the way and sporting icons such as Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal and Wayne Gretzky teaming up to throw up some intriguing groups for next summer's tournament in North America.

Reigning champions Argentina are in with Austria, Algeria and Jordan, while 2022 runners-up France have been placed in the closest thing to a 'Group of Death' alongside Senegal and Norway. As for England, they were paired with Croatia, Panama and Ghana, while things went reasonably well for all three of the co-hosts – United States, Mexico and Canada, although the Canucks may well be hoping that Italy don’t belatedly qualify via the European play-offs.  

So, who were the big winners of the draw? Whose hopes of winning the tournament have been boosted? And which nations will be fearing an humiliating first-round exit? And GOAL breaks it all down below…

AFPWINNER: The USMNT

Things are suddenly looking up for U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine came in for plenty of stick during a trying start to his tenure that featured some desperately disappointing defeats and very worrying signs of a strained relationship with 'Captain America' Christian Pulisic. However, after a run of five games without defeat, including a 5-1 demolition of Uruguay achieved without some of his most talented players, Pochettino will now be very confident of avoiding an early exit at next summer's World Cup.

Truth be told, there's absolutely no reason why the co-hosts can't progress as winners of Group D because the draw couldn't have gone much better for them: Australia were among the weakest sides in Pot Two, Paraguay finished sixth in CONMEBOL and, like the Socceroos, struggle to score goals; while Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo was the weakest of the UEFA play-off brackets.

All things considered, a first World Cup quarter-final appearance since 2002 is a distinct possibility for the Americans if Pochettino can maintain the momentum he's built up in recent months.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLOSER: France

As one of the seeded sides in a 48-team World Cup, Dider Deschamps' France would have been forgiven for anticipating a rather straightforward group-stage assignment. What they've received, though, is a very early and very tricky test of their credentials.

In Norway, Les Bleus drew the team that absolutely nobody wanted from Pot Three, meaning the French are definitely going to have a fight on their hands for top spot in Group I – and not just because they'll have to figure out a way to stop Erling Haaland.

The 2022 runners-up have also been landed in the same pool as Senegal, who are ranked 19th in the world and showed just how dangerous they are by dismantling England in a friendly at the City Ground earlier this year. It's also worth noting that The Lions of Teranga upset France at in the opening round of games at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan 23 years ago. If history were to repeat itself in the U.S. next summer, France would actually be at risk of suffering another humiliatingly early exit.

AFPWINNER: The surviving members of Belgium's Golden Generation

A bit like Kevin De Bruyne all the way back in 2022, we'd pretty much given up on Belgium's 'Golden Generation' ever realising their potential. However, all hope is not yet lost. While several stars retired after the Red Devils' calamitous campaign in Qatar, De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Axel Witsel and Thibaut Courtois are still knocking about and, fitness-permitting, all four will feature at next summer's tournament in North America.

Granted, the Belgians performed pretty poorly in qualifying. As winger Jeremy Doku admitted, the majority of their displays were sub-standard and we're not going to suddenly tout them as potential World Cup winners.

However, Rudi Garcia's squad does not lack quality or experience, and should (in theory, at least) cruise through a group containing Iran, Egypt and New Zealand, with only The Pharaohs looking remotely capable of challenging them for top spot.

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Getty Images SportLOSER: Scotland

When Scotland last appeared at the World Cup, in 1998, they were drawn in the same group as Brazil, Morocco and Norway. This time around, they've managed to avoid the Scandinavians, but having to once again tackle the Selecao and The Atlas Lions means the Scots could well struggle to reach the round of 32.

Brazil may not be the force they once were, but they're still the record five-time champions and results have certainly picked up since Carlo Ancelotti took over during the summer. It certainly wouldn't be a surprise if the former Real Madrid boss were to coax the best out of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo next summer.

As for Morocco, they're once again Africa's best hope of finally winning the World Cup. They finished fourth in 2022 and are presently on a 19-match unbeaten run.

Bottom line: Scotland might need to produce the kind of heroics they pulled out of the bag in their dramatic and decisive qualifying win over Denmark just to make the knockout stage. And who knows, with the support of the travelling Tartan Army, maybe it's not beyond the realms of possibility?!

If Memorial Day is the first serious checkpoint of the MLB season, then the Fourth of July qualifies as the second. The regular season is now past its midpoint as teams hanging around .500 must soon decide whether they’ll be buyers or sellers with the trade deadline less than a month away.

As our long-term views on the 2025 season continue to crystallize, let's recap what's gone on thus far and what could lie ahead.

1. Which team has been the pleasant surprise of the season?

Tom Verducci: The Tampa Bay Rays. The schedule is a bear. Only 16 home games in July and August. A minor league ballpark for a home. An ace (Shane McClanahan) still not back. But this is the hardest throwing staff in recorded history and Junior Caminero swings one of the two fastest bats in baseball. They have the best record in baseball against winning teams. They have one of the most athletic teams in the game, even if they tend to be careless on the bases. Believe it. The Rays are for real.

Stephanie Apstein: The timing of this question is funny. A few weeks ago, I probably would have said the New York Mets or the San Francisco Giants, but a couple of losing streaks later, they're in danger of becoming the answers to question 2 (see below). So I think I'll go with the Tampa Bay Rays. In one sense their success is unsurprising, because this is what they do most years, but keep in mind that most years they don't have to do it in an open-air minor league ballpark where game-time temperatures regularly hit the mid-90s. 

Nick Selbe: The Toronto Blue Jays seemed to be nearing the end of a contention window with last season's 74-win campaign and a core group of players that seemed closer to the decline phase than their primes. Instead, Toronto doubled down, signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a 14-year extension worth half a billion dollars and adding Anthony Santander to a five-year deal worth nearly $100 million. The latter hasn't worked out so far, but it hasn't prevented the Blue Jays from keeping pace with the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East, Pythagorean record be damned. Toronto might not have the pitching depth at present to keep up this pace, but its offense looks dangerous enough to remain in the division hunt throughout the second half.

Ryan Phillips: The Chicago Cubs have arrived a year (or more) earlier than expected. While the pitching has been suspect, Chicago's offense has been relentless. Pete Crow-Armstrong has become a legitimate star and leads the National League in WAR, while Kyle Tucker is second. The Northsiders are a ton of fun and are baseball’s biggest surprise for their dominance (MLB’s best run differential) if not for their division standing. 

Will Laws: Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that the Rays have figured out how to stay competitive with a bottom-five payroll. Nevertheless, SI predicted them to finish 76–86 after they missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2018. Instead, they're just a game out of first place in the AL East with the AL's third-best run differential thanks to a strong, balanced offense and anold-school rotation that leads the junior circuit in innings pitched.

2. Which team has been the biggest disappointment?

Allrounder is carving his own niche away from attention that comes with Ashes-winning father

Valkerie Baynes26-Mar-2025Archie Vaughan is enjoying the freedom to be his “own man” at Somerset.Vaughan, who turned 19 in December, produced a match-winning performance against Surrey last year in just his second first-class game.Though he doesn’t consider that to be the moment that established him as a player in his own right, independent of his famous father, Michael, he does see an upside to carving out the beginnings of a promising career in a place where his surname carries less weight of expectation.”It’s something that I’ve probably not really thought about before,” Vaughan tells ESPNcricinfo during Somerset’s pre-season media day. “Coming to Somerset where my dad’s not known, I think that’s really helped me just be my own man.”It’s nice obviously putting in a performance like that in a big game, but I think Somerset’s a club where everyone’s treated the same, so it doesn’t matter if you’ve played 200 games or you’ve played four.”We’ve got great friendships and it’s not really about proving yourself. Everyone knows the pressures of cricket and, when you go into the changeroom, it’s trying to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible. That’s what we do.”Vaughan’s connection with Somerset came about, not from any desire to put distance between himself and his father’s Yorkshire roots, but through attending Millfield School, near Glastonbury. From there, he entered the Somerset Academy system and worked his way up.”Before then I wasn’t involved in any major county, it was just Cheshire,” he said. “If I was to stay at home and progress, it probably would’ve gone down the Lancashire route, which is obviously not where my dad went.”It’s definitely not been a conscious thought, but I think I’ve probably recognised some benefits, just him not knowing anyone, I think that’s helped just me get on with my own game.”Vaughan captained England Under-19 in South Africa this winter•Gallo Images/Getty ImagesHe made his Championship debut against Durham last August, having signed his first professional contract in May and already played for Somerset in the One-Day Cup. He ended up playing four first-class matches and seven List A games, averaging 33.71 with the bat in the Championship and taking 15 wickets at 20.13.But it was his 11 wickets against Surrey that drew the most attention. Partnering left-arm spinner Jack Leach to keep Somerset’s title hopes alive, the duo took 20 wickets between them for the match, Vaughan ending with 6 for 102 and 5 for 38 after scoring a first-innings 44 in his primary role as a top-order batter.The England Under-19 captaincy followed at the start of this year in South Africa, where England lost a 50-over series 2-1 before winning the two-match four-day series 1-0.But he remains humble and eager to learn.”I’m very proud of what I’ve done, but trying to manage my expectations for the start of the season to try and get in the team for starters,” Vaughan says. “Then if I do get in the team, trying to stay in and just put performances in to win games of cricket.Related

• Will Smeed fighting on all fronts for Somerset after red-ball reversal

• Jack Leach, England's unlikely Asia enforcer, comes to the fore once more

• Leach comes back stronger for England after feeling the love

• Archie Vaughan, son of former captain Michael, set to lead England Under-19s

• Vaughan six-for as England U19s complete 10-wicket thrashing

“It’s easy to put pressure on myself after having a few good games, but I’m still 19, I’m still young, so trying to manage my expectations is probably going to be the challenge and realising I’m not going to bowl that well every game or even bat – I batted a few nice innings.”So it’s just going to be a challenge, but trying to get in the first team for the first game of the season will be my first goal.”Vaughan only started bowling off-spin during lockdown, in 2020, so Leach is a key source of knowledge that he is keen to keep drawing on.Leach, who took two wickets in three balls to seal victory in the Surrey match, understandably has fond memories of that game too.”It was really special,” Leach recalls. “That game will always live with me and just that last moment, to take that last wicket and then the boys and Archie all running towards me, and to win it right at the end like that, there’s no real better feeling in cricket.”What he did and the temperament he showed as a young player, and someone who was renowned as a batter and then bowled some off-spin, he has shown that he’s much more than that.”His temperament on those wickets, to not put too much pressure on himself, but deliver, was awesome and made my job a lot easier as well. I really enjoyed that partnership.”Vaughan has made an impression in white-ball cricket too•Getty ImagesIt may not be until later in the season that they combine again with the ball. Shoaib Bashir – another mentor for Vaughan – has gone to Glamorgan on loan to increase his opportunities given that Leach remains Somerset’s No.1 spinner, if not England’s, at the moment.And while Vaughan is happy in his batting with just over a week until the start of the Championship season, he says “a few teething problems” in his bowling indicate more volume might be required.But that doesn’t deter him from wanting to do it all. Quite the opposite.”When it comes to training, I do definitely treat myself as an allrounder,” Vaughan says. “I spend probably the same amount on both in terms of skillset. At the minute I think I’m probably a slightly better batter than a bowler but I think that’s just due to my inexperience with the ball.”In terms of length of time, I’m a few years back on my bowling than I am on my batting, so again, it’s managing my expectations. I had a good game here. It’s about realising that it’s not going to be like that every game, it’s not going to come out as I want every game.”Chatting to Leechy and Bash, having these people at the club, it’s definitely a great asset to my bowling.”England Lions host India A in two four-day matches this summer, which could prove another step in Vaughan’s development, although he’s not looking that far ahead.”My main aims and goals are definitely the start of the season here, getting in the team, putting in performances, and if I do well and that comes along then great, but definitely no thoughts, trying to just keep focus here.”

Stats highlights from Bulawayo, where South Africa and Wiaan Mulder broke a whole host of records

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jul-2025264* – South Africa captain Wiaan Mulder’s score after the first day of the second Test against Zimbabwe, which is now the highest by a batter on captaincy debut. Mulder went past New Zealand’s Graham Dowling, who had scored 239 in his first innings as captain, against India in Christchurch in 1968.Mulder’s knock is also the highest for a South Africa batter against Zimbabwe, leaving behind Gary Kirsten’s 220 in Harare in 2001.He completed his double-hundred in 214 deliveries, the second-fastest for a South Africa batter. Only Herschelle Gibbs has done it quicker, in 211 balls against Pakistan in 2003.Mulder smashed 34 fours and three sixes, which is the most fours and sixes combined in an innings by a South Africa batter. Graeme Smith held this record, hitting 35 fours (but no sixes) during his career-best 277 in 2003.The 264* is also the most runs a South Africa batter has scored in a day’s play. Mulder went past Gibbs’ 228 against Pakistan in 2003. Overall, Mulder stands sixth in this list, with Don Bradman on the top after scoring 309 in a single day against England in Leeds in 1930. But considering only the opening day of a Test, Mulder’s 264* is the second-best, behind Bradman’s triple.ESPNcricinfo LtdDuring his innings, Mulder smashed 131 runs in the post-tea session, the seventh-highest by any batter in a session’s play, and the highest by a South Africa batter.Mulder’s 264* came off just 259 balls, at a strike rate of 101.93. So far, it is among the five 250-plus individual scores to have come at a strike rate of over 100.465 for 4 – South Africa’s total was their highest in a day. Their previous highest was 445 in Cape Town against Pakistan in 2003, the same Test where Gibbs had amassed the fastest double-hundred for South Africa.217 – Mulder added 217 runs off only 185 deliveries for the fourth wicket with Lhuan-dre Pretorius. It is the second-highest fourth-wicket stand for South Africa away from home. It fell just short of their highest away partnership for the fourth wicket of 219 by Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince at the SCG in 2006.The stand between Mulder and Pretorius is also the only 200-plus stand in Tests with a run rate of over seven per over (complete data of balls in partnership available since 1998).

Manchester City have now reportedly opened talks to sign a teenage gem ahead of both Chelsea and Arsenal in 2026.

Man City obsessed with signing Yan Diomande

It’s all slowly coming together for Pep Guardiola and Man City again, with just two points separating themselves and Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The Citizens sent an impressive statement in midweek, almost a warning shot to Arsenal, when they came from behind to defeat Spanish giants Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. It was a professional, clinical victory and the type that Pep Guardiola’s side will be hoping to carry over against Crystal Palace this weekend.

That said, Guardiola – ever the perfectionist – will be well aware that Man City still have new levels to reach in this new chapter of his iconic tenure and that could see the Citizens turn towards the transfer window.

According to recent reports, Man City have become obsessed with signing Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig in a move that would complete a deadly front three alongside Erling Haaland and Jeremie Doku.

That spot is arguably the one that is most up for grabs, with Savinho struggling to find last season’s form and Rayan Cherki’s game out of possession yet to reach the levels needed to play every week under Guardiola.

Diomande has enjoyed an excellent breakout campaign in Germany, but he’s not the only young player on Man City’s radar. Those at the Etihad are also reportedly targeting a move to sign 17-year-old talent Oskar Pietuszewski.

Man City open talks to sign Pietuszewski

As reported by TeamTalk, Man City have now opened talks to sign Pietuszewski and are leading the race to sign the Polish teenager ahead of both Arsenal and Chelsea.

Man City showing strong interest in £65m star who looks like the new Sane

Manchester City are primed to do business this winter, should the right opportunity present itself.

ByAngus Sinclair 5 days ago

At just 17 years old, the Jagiellonia winger will reportedly cost interested parties as much as €15 million (£13m) if they decide to make their move in 2026. With scouts from Barcelona, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal and others all keeping tabs on Pietuszewski, it’s easy to see why his price tag has been set at such a rate.

After becoming a record-breaker for Poland’s U21 side, scout Jacek Kulig dubbed Pietuszewski a “truly special talent” in impressive praise for the teenager.

The winger has the world at his feet and could yet join up with one of the greatest managers to ever grace the game in Guardiola to take his potential to a whole new level in the process.

"Top-level" £35m maestro with shades of Yaya now a priority Man City target