Ben Brereton-Diaz, the forward who grew up in Stoke-on-Trent, often finds himself needing a reality check that he is indeed a celebrated figure in a South American country. Since a fan-driven social media push in 2021 highlighted his Chilean eligibility on Football Manager, he has earned 42 caps for La Roja and found the net ten times. "Every time I step onto that pitch, I genuinely love it," the Derby County striker explains.
"The support from the Chilean fans is extraordinary. He recalls the excitement of his first call‑up: "It was a wild experience when I first received the invitation. The amount of love and enthusiasm from the supporters was overwhelming. Scoring goals and getting regular minutes has been a dream come true.
I'm proud to represent my family, who split their lives between Chile and England. It feels like a wonderful bridge between the two cultures." Brereton-Diaz adds that his decision to play for Chile has opened doors he never imagined. "Choosing Chile was the right move; the experiences have been incredible.
I learn something new each time I join the squad, and I hope the national team will keep calling me up in the future." Unfortunately, Chile have missed out on the last two World Cups, a disappointment Brereton-Diaz acknowledges. Yet he remains optimistic about the project's direction. "Missing out on the tournament was heartbreaking, but it fuels our determination.
We have a wave of young talent emerging, and we are building a side that can compete on the biggest stage again. The future looks promising." In the English Championship, Portsmouth have endured a tough campaign, languishing near the bottom of the table.
Despite the collective struggles, 22‑year‑old Northern Irish right‑back Terry Devlin has enjoyed a breakthrough season. Deployed as either a traditional right‑back or a more attacking wing‑back, Devlin has become a key figure for the Pompey side. "The team has had its ups and downs, but personally I've loved the experience," he says. "This is my first season playing week in, week out, and that consistency has helped me grow.
I hope we can finish the season strongly and climb out of the relegation zone." Devlin attributes his progress to hard work and a professional mindset. "Consistency is everything," he notes. "Day after day I’ve kept the same routines that I followed last season and the one before that.
Over time that consistency shows up in performances. Being a good professional means putting in the effort every single day." He continues, "I need to stay consistent, keep learning from the senior players, and improve the areas of my game that need work. If I can do that, I’ll keep moving forward and reach the level I aspire to." Across the Atlantic, the 2024 summer transfer window produced a surprising move: Jamal Lewis, after a loan spell at Watford, swapped the English game for a short‑term stint at São Paulo in Brazil. "It was a bit late in the window, but the opportunity sounded exciting," Lewis, now with Preston, reflects.
"Brazilian football has such a global reputation, and I wanted to test myself in a different market and experience a new culture." His Brazilian adventure was abruptly cut short when 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 wanted," he admits. "São Paulo is a massive city; you can drive an hour and still be in the same urban sprawl. It was a refreshing change, but I regret not speaking Portuguese – it would have helped me connect more with teammates and fans.
I definitely hope to return someday." Meanwhile, at Watford, 26‑year‑old Imran Louza has cemented his place as captain. After Moussa Sissoko’s departure for Panathinaikos in February, Louza inherited the armband and has led the side for the bulk of the season. "Being a captain takes time to grow into," he says. "If I were still in France, communication would be easier, but after five years in England I focus on supporting my teammates.
Respect is mutual, and that’s the foundation of my leadership." Louza prefers to lead by example on the pitch rather than through endless chatter in the dressing room, though he acknowledges the need to be vocal at times. "I always give my heart, my passion, my runs – everything – on the field," he explains. "Sometimes I have to shout to motivate the group; you can’t be nice all the time.
I’m competitive and want to win every match, and that drive helps the whole squad." The Championship also hosts a rare World Cup winner: Steven Nzonzi, who still smiles when he thinks back to the pinnacle of his career in 2018. In the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, Nzonzi entered the fray in the 55th minute with France leading 2‑1 against Croatia, replacing none other than N'Golo Kanté. "It was a massive pressure situation," he recalls.
"Coming on for arguably the best player of the tournament was daunting, but once I was on the pitch everything else faded." He continued, "We were up 2‑1, and we added a couple more goals in the next ten minutes. I was relieved and just gave my best.
When Kylian Mbappé scored the fourth, I truly believed we were on our way to becoming champions." Nzonzi remembers the surreal moment when the trophy was finally in his hands. "After the final whistle we went out to meet the fans, waving French flags. I saw my son later, and the emotions were overwhelming. I can’t recall whether I touched the World Cup before or after that meeting – everything was a blur.
The image of me holding the trophy and the medal is something I’ll never forget." The EFL schedule continues with kick‑offs at 7.45 pm on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, unless otherwise noted. Fans can also take part in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available.