Ben Brereton Diaz, the former Stoke‑on‑Trent youngster who now plies his trade at Derby, often finds himself in a state of disbelief when he steps onto the pitch for Chile. The sensation of being a celebrated figure in a South American country can feel surreal for someone who grew up in England. His international adventure began in 2021 after a group of dedicated supporters launched an online campaign to highlight his Chilean eligibility, a detail they discovered while playing Football Manager. Their efforts paid off, and Brereton Diaz earned his first call‑up, eventually accumulating 42 caps and netting ten goals for La Roja.
"Every time I travel there, I love the atmosphere," the forward explained. "The fans give us incredible support, and the experience is unforgettable. My debut was a whirlwind – the excitement, the love from the crowd, and the chance to score and play regularly meant a lot to me. I’m proud to represent both my family’s Chilean heritage and my English upbringing.
It feels like a bridge between two worlds, and I’m grateful for the decision I made to join the squad. Each call‑up feels like a gift, and I hope to keep adding to that tally in the future." While Brereton Diaz enjoys personal success, Chile as a national team has endured disappointment, missing out on the last two World Cups.
Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about the project underway. "Missing the tournament was a huge blow, but it’s also a motivator," he said. "We have a wave of young talent coming through, and the foundations we’re laying now should see us back on the world stage soon." In the English Championship, Portsmouth have endured a tough campaign, languishing near the bottom of the table. Yet for 22‑year‑old Northern Irish right‑back Terry Devlin, the season has been a breakthrough.
Deployed both as a traditional full‑back and a more attacking wing‑back, Devlin has become a regular starter and a key figure in the Pompey side. "There have been highs and lows for the club, but personally I’ve loved every minute," Devlin admitted. "It’s my first full season of consistent game time, which has helped my confidence.
I’m aiming to finish strongly and, of course, I’d love to see the team climb higher in the standings. Being able to play week in, week out has allowed me to cement my place and showcase what I can do." He attributes his progress to a disciplined routine and a focus on consistency.
"Day after day I’ve stuck to the same training habits I built over the past couple of years. Over time that consistency shows up in performances. Being a professional means giving 100 % every single day, and that’s what I strive for. I’ll keep learning from the senior players, fine‑tuning my game, and pushing to reach the level I know I’m capable of." Across the Atlantic, English midfielder Jamal Lewis made an unconventional move in the 2024 summer window.
After a loan spell at Watford, he briefly joined Brazilian giants São Paulo on a short‑term deal, a transfer that raised eyebrows due to its rarity. "It was late in the window, but the opportunity was too good to pass up," Lewis recalled.
"Brazilian football has a massive global reputation, and I wanted to test myself in a different environment, experience a new culture, and see how I could adapt." 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," he said. "São Paulo is a sprawling metropolis – you can drive an hour and still be in the same city.
The only regret is not speaking Portuguese, which would have helped me connect more deeply with teammates and fans. I’d love to return someday and experience it fully." Back in England, Watford’s 26‑year‑old midfielder Imran Louza has embraced the captain’s armband with maturity beyond his years.
After Moussa Sissoko’s departure to Panathinaikos in February, Louza took over the leadership role and has worn the band for the majority of the campaign. "Leadership takes time to develop," Louza explained.
"If I were still in France, communicating would be easier, but after five years in England I’ve learned to lead by example and earn the respect of my teammates. They respect me, and I respect them – that mutual trust is the foundation of good leadership." He prefers to lead through his actions on the pitch rather than through constant chatter in the dressing room, though he acknowledges that vocal encouragement is sometimes necessary. "I always give my all – heart, passion, the runs – on the field. When the situation calls for it, I’ll raise my voice to motivate the group.
You can’t be nice all the time; sometimes a firm word is needed to keep the team focused. I’m competitive and want to win every match, and that drive helps me guide the squad." Finally, the Championship boasts a rare presence: World Cup winner Steven Nzonzi, who still smiles when he recalls the pinnacle of his career in 2018. In the final against Croatia at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, Nzonzi entered the fray in the 55th minute with France leading 2‑1, replacing none other than N'Golo Kanté. "The pressure was immense," he reflected.
"Coming on for arguably the best player of the tournament was daunting, but I had to block out everything else and focus. When I stepped onto the pitch, we were ahead, and within minutes we added another goal. I felt a wave of relief and just tried to give my best." The decisive fourth goal, scored by Kylian Mbappé, cemented France’s 4‑1 victory and turned the match into a blur for Nzonzi.
"When the fourth goal went in, I remember looking around at my teammates and thinking, ‘This is it.’ The second goal didn’t change much – we knew we were going to win. That moment made it clear we were champions." He admits the post‑match celebrations are a haze, but the memory of holding the Jules Rimet trophy remains vivid.
"After the game we went out to meet the fans, waved the French flag, and I saw my son. I’m not sure if I touched the trophy before or after that moment, everything was happening so fast.
The images of the trophy in my hands, the medal around my neck – those are memories that will stay with me forever." The upcoming fixtures promise more drama: Tuesday the 21st sees all seven matches kick off at 7.45 pm, followed by Wednesday the 22nd with a similar schedule unless otherwise noted. Fans can also join the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available now.