Ben Brereton Diaz, the Stoke‑on‑Trent native who now shines for Chile, often finds himself still in disbelief that he is regarded as a star in a South American nation. The story began in 2021 when a group of supporters launched a social‑media drive to persuade the Chilean federation to call him up after spotting his Chilean eligibility on Football Manager.
Since that campaign, the Derby forward has earned 42 caps and found the net ten times for La Roja. "Every time I step onto the pitch in Chile I love it," Brereton Diaz says. "The fans there give us incredible support.
The first call‑up was a whirlwind – the affection from the crowd was overwhelming, and scoring goals only added to the magic. I’m proud to represent both my family in Chile and my roots in England. It feels right, and I’m grateful for the decision I made because the experiences have been priceless.
Each call‑up feels like a gift, and I hope there are many more to come." His enthusiasm is tempered by the reality that Chile missed out on the last two World Cups. Nevertheless, Brereton Diaz remains optimistic about the nation’s rebuilding project. "Missing out on the tournament was a huge disappointment, but it fuels our hunger," he explains. "We have a wave of young talent emerging, and we’re laying a foundation that looks promising for the future." Meanwhile, at Portsmouth, 22‑year‑old Northern Irish midfielder Terry Devlin has turned a difficult campaign into a personal breakthrough.
Deployed primarily as a right‑back or wing‑back, Devlin has become a consistent presence in the Pompey side despite the club’s struggles near the bottom of the Championship table. "There have been highs and lows for the team, but on a personal level I’ve really enjoyed the season," he admits.
"It’s my first year with regular minutes, and that consistency has helped me grow. I’d love to see the club climb the table, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made and hope to finish strongly." Devlin attributes his development to relentless professionalism.
"It boils down to consistency," he says. "Day after day I’ve stuck to the same routines I followed last season, and over time that steadiness translates into better performances. Being a good professional means putting in the work every single day. I’ll keep learning from the senior players, fine‑tuning my game, and staying consistent – that’s the path to reaching the level I aspire to." Across the continent, Jamal Lewis experienced one of the more unconventional moves of the 2024 summer window.
After a loan spell at Watford, the English defender made a temporary switch from Newcastle to São Paulo in Brazil. "It was a late‑window move, but the opportunity sounded exciting," Lewis recalls.
"Brazilian football has a massive global reputation, and I wanted to test myself in a different market, soak up a new culture, and experience a new league." Unfortunately, his Brazilian adventure was cut short. An injury sustained on international duty forced him back to Newcastle after just six appearances. "I didn’t get to explore Brazil as much as I hoped – even São Paulo is massive, you can drive an hour and still be in the same urban sprawl," he jokes.
"The only regret is not speaking Portuguese, which would have helped me connect more with teammates and fans. I’d love to return someday and truly experience the country." In the Watford dressing room, 26‑year‑old Imran Louza has emerged as a leader, captaining the side after Moussa Sissoko’s departure to Panathinaikos. "Being a captain takes time to earn," Louza explains. "If I were still in France it would be easier to communicate, but after five years in England I focus on supporting the lads.
Respect is mutual – that’s the foundation of good leadership. It feels natural to me." Louza prefers to lead by example on the pitch rather than through lengthy speeches, though he admits he’s learning to be more vocal when needed. "I always give my heart, my passion, my runs – everything on the field," he says.
"Sometimes I have to shout to motivate the team; you can’t be nice all the time. I’m competitive and want to win every game, and that intensity helps the group." Former World Cup champion Steven Nzonzi, now plying his trade in the Championship, still smiles when he remembers the pinnacle of his career in 2018. In the 55th minute of the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, he was subbed on for none other than N'Golo Kanté, with France leading 2‑1 against Croatia.
"It was immense pressure," Nzonzi recalls. "Replacing arguably the tournament’s best player in a final is daunting, but you lock in, focus, and everything else fades.
When we scored two more goals shortly after I came on, I felt a huge relief and just gave everything I could." The fourth goal, netted by Kylian Mbappé, cemented his belief that they were on the path to glory. "At 4‑1 I looked around at my teammates and thought, ‘This is it,’" he says. "Even after the second goal, we knew the match was ours.
The moment we realized we were champions is unforgettable." Nzonzi admits the post‑match celebrations are a blur, but the memory of holding the Jules Rimet trophy remains vivid. "After the game we went to meet the fans, waved the French flag, and I rushed home to show my son. I’m not sure if I touched the trophy before or after that, everything happened so fast.
The images of the trophy in my hands and the medal around my neck are memories that will stay with me forever." Upcoming fixtures: Tuesday 21 – all games kick off at 7.45 pm; Wednesday 22 – all games kick off at 7.45 pm unless otherwise noted. Plus, a Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £250,000 – entry is free.