Ben Brereton-Diaz, the former Stoke-on-Trent youngster now plying his trade at Derby, often finds himself in a state of disbelief when he reflects on his status as a football icon in a South American country. Since a fan-driven social media push in 2021 highlighted his Chilean eligibility on Football Manager, the forward has earned 42 caps for La Roja and found the net ten times. "Every time I step onto that pitch, I genuinely love the atmosphere," the striker explained.
"The support from the fans in Chile is phenomenal. When I first received the call-up, it felt surreal, and the affection I was shown was overwhelming. Scoring goals and earning regular minutes has been a dream, and I’m proud to make my family—who split their lives between Chile and England—feel proud as well.
Deciding to represent Chile was one of the best choices I’ve made; the experiences have been incredible, and I’ve learned a great deal. Each call-up feels like a gift, and I hope there are many more to come." While Brereton-Diaz cherishes his international journey, Chile’s recent history has been disappointing, having missed the last two World Cups.
Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about the nation’s rebuilding efforts. "Missing out on the World Cup was heartbreaking, but it fuels our determination. We have a wave of young talent emerging, and we’re constructing a side that can compete on the world stage again.
The future looks promising," he said. In the Championship, Portsmouth have endured a difficult campaign, languishing near the bottom of the table. Yet for 22-year‑old Northern Irish defender Terry Devlin, the season has been a personal breakthrough.
Deployed primarily as a right‑back or right wing‑back, Devlin has become a key figure for the Pompey side. "The team has had its ups and downs, but on an individual level I’ve truly enjoyed the experience," he remarked. "This is my first full season of regular football, and that consistency has been huge for my development.
I’m aiming to finish the campaign strongly and, of course, I’d love to see the club climb out of the relegation zone. Being able to lock in a starting spot week after week has been fantastic." Devlin attributes his progress to relentless hard work and a professional mindset. "It boils down to consistency," he emphasized.
"Day in, day out, I’m doing the same drills and routines I practiced last year and the year before. Over time, that steady effort translates into better performances. Being a good professional means giving 100 % every day, learning from senior teammates, and constantly refining aspects of my game.
If I keep that up, I’ll keep moving forward and reach the level I aspire to." Across the Atlantic, English midfielder Jamal Lewis experienced an unusual loan move during the 2024 summer window. After a season on loan at Watford, Lewis briefly joined São Paulo in Brazil, a decision he describes as “a bit late in the window but an exciting opportunity.” He recognized Brazil’s global football reputation and saw the stint as a chance to showcase his abilities in a different market while immersing himself in a new culture. "Playing in Brazil was a unique experience – the country, the people, the league – everything felt amazing," Lewis reflected.
Unfortunately, his Brazilian adventure was cut short. An injury sustained on international duty after only two months forced his return to Newcastle after just six appearances.
"I didn’t get to explore Brazil as much as I wanted. São Paulo is massive; you can drive an hour and still be in the same metropolitan area," he laughed. "The only regret is not speaking Portuguese, which would have helped me connect more with teammates and fans.
I’d love to go back someday and experience it fully." Meanwhile, at Watford, 26‑year‑old Imran Louza has taken on the captain’s armband, succeeding Moussa Sissoko after his move to Panathinaikos in February. Louza admits that leadership does not happen overnight.
"Being a captain takes time. In France it would have been easier to communicate, but after five years in England I’ve learned to lead by example and earn the respect of my teammates," he said.
"Respect is mutual, and that’s the foundation of my approach. The leadership instinct feels natural to me, but I’m constantly working on the vocal side of the role as well." He strives to inspire through his actions on the pitch rather than relying solely on words in the dressing room. "I always give my heart, passion, and effort on the field.
Sometimes I have to raise my voice and shout to motivate the group – the captain’s job includes that," Louza explained. "Being positive, competitive, and wanting to win every match helps drive the team forward. You can’t be nice all the time; you need to push when needed." The Championship also boasts a rare presence of a recent World Cup winner: Steven Nzonzi, who proudly recalls his most cherished moment from the 2018 final in Moscow. Entering the Luzhniki Stadium in the 55th minute with France leading 2‑1 against Croatia, Nzonzi replaced none other than N'Golo Kanté.
"There was immense pressure," he admitted. "Coming on for arguably the best player of the tournament was daunting, but you have to block everything out and focus. When I stepped onto the field we were 2‑1 up, and we added a couple of goals shortly after. I was relieved and gave everything I could." The turning point arrived when Kylian Mbappé struck the fourth goal, sealing a 4‑1 victory.
"When the fourth goal went in, I could see the realization among the players – we were becoming champions. Even after the second goal, the outcome was clear; we weren’t going to lose. That moment cemented the belief that we had won the World Cup," Nzonzi recalled.
He admits the celebrations that followed are a blur. "After the match we went straight to the fans, waved the French flag, and I rushed to see my son. I’m not sure if I held 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." The upcoming fixtures are set for Tuesday 21 at 7:45 pm and Wednesday 22 at 7:45 pm (unless otherwise noted).
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