Ben Brereton-Diaz, the Stoke-on-Trent native, often finds himself pinching his own cheeks to confirm that he truly is a celebrated figure in a South American country. The story began in 2021 when a group of supporters launched a social‑media push after spotting his Chilean eligibility on Football Manager. Their campaign succeeded, and since then the Derby County forward has earned 42 caps for Chile and found the net ten times.
"Every time I step onto that pitch I feel pure joy," Brereton-Diaz explains. "The reception from the fans is incredible. My first call‑up was a whirlwind – the love and enthusiasm were overwhelming, and scoring goals only added to the magic.
It means a lot to make my family proud, both in Chile and back in England. Deciding to represent Chile has given me experiences I could never have imagined, and each invitation feels like a gift. I hope there are many more to come." Unfortunately, Chile have missed out on the last two World Cups, a disappointment that Brereton-Diaz says only fuels his determination.
"We were gutted not to qualify, but that disappointment drives us forward. Young talent is emerging, and we are laying a solid foundation for the future. The prospects look promising." Meanwhile, Portsmouth have endured a tough Championship campaign, yet 22‑year‑old Northern Irish right‑back Terry Devlin has enjoyed a breakthrough season. Frequently deployed as a right‑back or wing‑back, Devlin says, "The team has had its ups and downs, but personally I’ve loved the consistency of minutes.
It’s my first full season playing regularly, and I’m aiming to finish strongly. Of course I’d love to see the club climb the table, but it feels good to have cemented my place and contribute week in, week out." Devlin credits his progress to relentless professionalism.
"Consistency is key. Day after day I repeat the habits that have served me in previous years, and over time they translate into better performances. Being a good professional means working hard every single day. I’ll keep learning from the senior players, refining my game, and staying consistent – that’s how I’ll reach the level I aspire to." In a surprising twist during the 2024 summer window, Jamal Lewis made a rare move from Newcastle to Brazil’s São Paulo after a loan spell at Watford.
"It was late in the window, but the opportunity sounded exciting," Lewis recalls. "Brazilian football has a global reputation, and I wanted to test myself in a different market, experience a new culture, and meet new people." His Brazilian adventure was cut short when an injury on international duty forced him back to Newcastle after just six appearances.
"I didn’t get to explore much of Brazil beyond travelling to matches. São Paulo is massive – you can drive an hour and still be in the same urban sprawl. It was a breath of fresh air, but I regret not speaking Portuguese, which would have helped me connect more deeply. I definitely hope to return someday." At Watford, 26‑year‑old Imran Louza has taken on the captain’s armband, succeeding Moussa Sissoko after his February departure to Panathinaikos.
"Being a captain takes time to grow into," Louza says. "If I were still in France it would be easier to communicate, but after five years in England I focus on supporting my teammates. Respect is mutual, and leadership comes naturally to me." Louza prefers to lead by example on the pitch rather than through endless speeches.
"I give everything – heart, passion, runs – every time I step onto the field. Sometimes I have to raise my voice and shout, because a captain must be audible when needed.
Positivity and competition drive me; I want us to win every game, and that energy helps the whole squad." World Cup winners rarely feature in the English second tier, yet Steven Nzonzi still smiles when he recalls his defining moment in 2018. In the 55th minute of the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, he replaced N'Golo Kanté with France leading 2‑1 against Croatia. "The pressure was immense – I was coming on for arguably the tournament’s best player.
You have to block out everything else and focus. When I entered, we scored a couple more goals within ten minutes, which was a huge relief." Nzonzi’s confidence surged when Kylian Mbappé added a fourth, sealing a 4‑2 victory.
"At 4‑1 I looked around at my teammates and thought, ‘This is it.’ Even after the second goal, we knew the match was ours. That realization – we were champions – was unforgettable." The post‑match blur left him with fragmented memories, but the image of holding the Jules Rimet trophy remains vivid. "After the game we celebrated with fans, waved French flags, and I rushed to see my son. I’m not sure if I touched the trophy before or after that moment, but the emotions, the medal, the photograph of me with the cup – they’re memories that will stay with me forever." EFL fixtures continue: Tuesday 21 at 7:45 pm and Wednesday 22 at 7:45 pm (unless otherwise noted).
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