Ben Brereton Diaz, the forward who grew up in Stoke‑on‑Trent, often finds himself having to pinch himself when he thinks about his status as a star in a South American nation. After a grassroots social‑media push in 2021 – a group of supporters spotted his Chilean eligibility on Football Manager and urged the federation to give him a chance – the Derby County striker earned his first call‑up.
Since that breakthrough, he has collected 42 caps for La Roja and found the net ten times. "Every time I step onto that pitch I feel a huge sense of joy," Brereton Diaz explains.
"The fans in Chile are phenomenal – their energy is infectious. The first time I was called up it was a surreal experience, and the love I received from the supporters was overwhelming. Scoring goals and playing regularly has only added to that feeling." He adds that representing Chile also lets him honour his mixed heritage.
"My family lives across both Chile and England, and being able to make them proud on both sides of the world means a lot to me. Deciding to play for Chile was one of the best choices I’ve made – the experiences have been incredible and I’ve learned so much.
I hope to be called up again and again." Despite his personal success, the Chilean side have missed out on the last two World Cups. Brereton Diaz remains optimistic, however. "Missing out on the tournament was a huge disappointment, but it’s also a motivator. We have a lot of promising youngsters coming through and we’re building a squad that can compete on the biggest stage again.
The future looks bright for Chile." --- In the Championship, Portsmouth have endured a tough campaign, languishing near the bottom of the table. Yet for 22‑year‑old Terry Devlin, the season has been a personal breakthrough. The Northern Irish right‑back, who can also operate as a wing‑back, has emerged as one of Pompey’s most consistent performers. "There have been ups and downs for the team, but on a personal level I’ve really enjoyed the experience," Devlin says.
"This is my first full season playing week in, week out, and that consistency has helped me grow. I’d love to see the club climb higher in the standings, but I’m proud of the mark I’ve put down and the minutes I’ve earned." He attributes his progress to a disciplined routine. "It boils down to consistency.
Day after day I’ve been doing the same work I did last season – training, recovery, studying the game – and over time that shows up in performances. Being a professional means giving your all every single day. I’ll keep learning from the senior players, fine‑tuning my game, and staying consistent so I can reach the level I aspire to." --- A more unconventional move in the 2024 summer window saw Jamal Lewis travel from Newcastle to Brazil’s São Paulo on loan after a stint at Watford. The young midfielder, now with Preston, described the switch as a chance to experience a different football culture.
"It was a bit late in the transfer window, but the opportunity sounded exciting. Everyone knows Brazilian football has a special global reputation, and I wanted to test myself in that environment," Lewis recalls. "Seeing a new country, its people and its league was an amazing adventure." Unfortunately, his Brazilian spell was cut short.
An injury sustained on international duty forced him back to England after just six appearances. "I didn’t get to explore Brazil as much as I’d hoped – even São Paulo is massive, you can drive an hour and still be in a similar neighbourhood," he laughs. "My only regret is not speaking Portuguese, which would have helped me connect more deeply. I’d love to return someday and experience it fully." --- Watford have handed the captain’s armband to 26‑year‑old Imran Louza, who has led the side for most of the season after Moussa Sissoko’s departure to Panathinaikos.
Louza says leadership comes with time and respect. "Being a captain isn’t something that happens overnight. In France I would have found it easier to communicate, but after five years in England I focus on supporting my teammates. Respect is a two‑way street, and that’s the foundation of my role," he explains.
He prefers to lead by example on the pitch rather than through constant chatter in the dressing room, though he admits he’s learning to be more vocal when needed. "I always give my heart, my energy and my runs on the field. Sometimes you have to shout to motivate the group – you can’t be nice all the time.
I’m competitive, I want to win every match, and that intensity helps the team." --- World Cup winners rarely feature in England’s second tier, yet Steven Nzonzi smiles when he reflects on the pinnacle of his career – the 2018 final in Moscow. He entered the match in the 55th minute, replacing none other than N'Golo Kanté with France leading 2‑1 against Croatia. "The pressure was massive. I was coming on for arguably the best player of the tournament, so I had to stay focused and block out everything else," Nzonzi recounts.
"When we scored a couple of goals shortly after I came on, I felt a huge sense of relief and just tried to give my best." The fourth goal, netted by Kylian Mbappé, cemented his belief that the trophy was within reach. "At 4‑1 I remember looking around at my teammates and thinking, ‘this is it.’ Even after the second goal, we knew the game was ours.
That moment when we realised we were champions is unforgettable." He admits the celebrations blurred together, making it hard to recall the exact moment he first lifted the Jules Rimet trophy. "After the match we went straight to meet the fans, wave the French flag, and I rushed home to show my son.
Whether I touched the trophy before or after that is fuzzy – everything happened so fast. The images of the cup in my hands, the medal around my neck, are memories I’ll cherish forever." --- Upcoming fixtures: Tuesday 21 – all matches kick off at 7:45 pm. Wednesday 22 – all matches kick off at 7:45 pm unless otherwise noted.
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