Ben Brereton-Diaz, the Stoke‑on‑Trent native who now dazzles for Chile, often finds himself pinching his own face in disbelief that he is considered a football icon in a South American nation. His journey began in earnest in 2021 when a group of devoted supporters launched an online campaign urging the Chilean federation to call him up after spotting his Chilean eligibility on the Football Manager database.
The appeal bore fruit: Brereton-Diaz has since earned 42 caps and found the net ten times for La Roja. "Every time I travel there, I feel an incredible joy," the Derby County forward explains. "The warmth and enthusiasm from the fans is overwhelming.
The first call‑up was a whirlwind experience – the outpouring of love was massive, and to score goals and feature regularly has been a dream come true. I’m proud to represent both my family in Chile and my roots in England. It’s a beautiful blend of cultures." He adds, "Choosing to play for Chile was one of the best decisions of my career. The experiences have been priceless, and I’ve grown a lot as a player.
Each call‑up feels like a gift, and I hope there are many more to come." While Brereton-Diaz basks in his personal success, Chile’s national side has endured a recent slump, missing out on the last two World Cup tournaments. Nevertheless, the forward remains optimistic about the team’s future. "Missing out on the World Cup was a huge disappointment, but it fuels our determination," he says. "We have a wave of young talent emerging, and we’re laying a solid foundation for a brighter tomorrow." In the English Championship, Portsmouth have endured a difficult campaign, languishing near the bottom of the table.
Yet for 22‑year‑old Northern Irish right‑back Terry Devlin, the season has been a personal breakthrough. Deployed as both a traditional right‑back and an attacking wing‑back, Devlin has become a key figure for the Pompey side. "There have been highs and lows for the club, but on an individual level I’ve truly enjoyed the challenge," Devlin admits. "It’s my first season where I’ve played week in, week out, and that consistency has been hugely positive.
I hope we can finish the campaign strongly and climb out of the relegation zone." He credits his progress to relentless professionalism. "It boils down to consistency," he explains.
"Day after day I’ve stuck to the same routines I followed in previous seasons. Over time that steadiness translates into better performances. Being a good professional means giving 100 % every training session and match.
I’ll keep learning from the senior players, fine‑tuning my game, and aiming to reach the level I know I can achieve." Across the continent, a surprising move caught the eye of many during the 2024 summer transfer window. After a loan spell at Watford, Jamal Lewis made an unexpected temporary switch from Newcastle United to Brazil’s São Paulo FC. "It was a bit late in the window when the deal materialised," Lewis, now playing for Preston North End, recalls. "The prospect of playing in Brazil was thrilling – everyone knows how revered Brazilian football is worldwide.
I saw it as a chance to showcase my abilities in a completely different market and to experience a new culture, new people, and a new style of football." Unfortunately, his Brazilian adventure was cut short. After just six appearances, an injury sustained on international duty forced him back to England. "I didn’t get to explore much of Brazil beyond travelling to matches," he says. "São Paulo is a massive city; 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 – it would have helped me connect more deeply with teammates and fans. I definitely want to return someday." Back in England, Watford have appointed 26‑year‑old Imran Louza as their permanent captain following Moussa Sissoko’s departure to Panathinaikos in February. Louza, who has worn the armband for most of the season, says leadership is a skill that develops over time. "If I were still in France, communication would be easier, but after five years in England I’ve learned to lead by example and earn the respect of my teammates," he notes.
"Respect is a two‑way street; I respect them and they respect me, and that’s the foundation of good leadership." He admits that while he prefers to influence the team through his actions on the pitch, he is gradually becoming more vocal in the dressing room. "I always give my heart, my passion, my runs – everything – on the field.
Sometimes I need to shout to motivate the lads; a captain can’t be nice all the time. I’m competitive and I want to win every game, and that drive helps the whole squad." Championship football rarely features World Cup winners, yet Steven Nzonzi, a member of France’s 2018 triumph, smiles when reminiscing about the pinnacle of his career. In the 55th minute of the final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, he entered the match with France leading 2‑1 against Croatia, replacing none other than N’Golo Kanté. "The pressure was immense," Nzonzi reflects.
"Replacing perhaps the best player of the tournament was a huge responsibility, but once I stepped onto the pitch everything else faded. I didn’t want to let the team down, especially in a final. We added two more goals in the next ten minutes, and I was relieved to have contributed." When Kylian Mbappé scored the fourth goal, Nzonzi felt the reality of becoming a world champion sink in. "At 4‑1 I looked around at my teammates and thought, ‘This is it.’ Even when the second goal came, it didn’t matter – we knew we were going to win.
That moment cemented our status as champions." The aftermath was a blur of celebrations, flag‑waving fans, and the iconic trophy. "After the match we went straight to meet the supporters, waved the French flag, and I rushed home to show my son. I’m not sure if I held the World Cup before or after that, everything was happening so fast. The memories – the photo with the trophy, the medal around my neck – are moments I’ll cherish forever." The EFL schedule continues with kick‑offs at 7.45 pm on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, unless otherwise noted.
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