Ben Brereton Diaz

[roversfan99]

I suspect that it makes no odds as he won't be a Rovers player then anyway, but if he had have been, surely Chile not qualifying for the World Cup would be ideal from a Rovers perspective. 

[LordBaltimore]

"Chilean at heart"

Last night's news story on BBD focussed on statements he had made during the week saying how proud he felt to play for Chile.  Ben said it has given him the drive & confidence to improve his performance with Blackburn Rovers.  BBD said has bonded & become better friends with the team members each time he gets called up.  He relishes every trip to Chile. 

They also contrasted Ben's statements with the many comments made by Tony Mowbray complaining & bemoaning his absence at every international call-up Ben has.

"Brereton and his pride defending Chile"

[Several players have independently stated that despite the language barrier Ben has won over his team mates/locker room with his easy-going & "light" personality, ambition, and play.]

They then interviewed people on the street, all of whom sang Ben's praises.  The young and old love the guy.

 

Edited November 10, 2021 by LordBaltimore

[Mike E]

The confidence boost from the Chilean dream has made his personality shine through on the pitch. And you can tell he's just enjoying his football more, probably motivated by the fact he can play for Chile rather than demoralised by the fact he was never going to be 'England material'.

He's so likeable that I can't help but wish him every success wherever it is and I'll follow his career long after he leaves us.

Edited November 10, 2021 by Mike E

[TheRoversReturn]

5 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

I suspect that it makes no odds as he won't be a Rovers player then anyway, but if he had have been, surely Chile not qualifying for the World Cup would be ideal from a Rovers perspective. 

I reckon the only way BB is still at Rovers next season is if we're in the premier league by then. Decide for yourself the likelihood of that...

Is there still no confirmation from the club of this one-year extension?

[J*B]

5 hours ago, LordBaltimore said:

"Chilean at heart"

Last night's news story on BBD focussed on statements he had made during the week saying how proud he felt to play for Chile.  Ben said it has given him the drive & confidence to improve his performance with Blackburn Rovers.  BBD said has bonded & become better friends with the team members each time he gets called up.  He relishes every trip to Chile. 

They also contrasted Ben's statements with the many comments made by Tony Mowbray complaining & bemoaning his absence at every international call-up Ben has.

"Brereton and his pride defending Chile"

[Several players have independently stated that despite the language barrier Ben has won over his team mates/locker room with his easy-going & "light" personality, ambition, and play.]

They then interviewed people on the street, all of whom sang Ben's praises.  The young and old love the guy.

 

I love these updates. God I hope he fires them to the World Cup. 

[roversfan99]

4 hours ago, J*B said:

I love these updates. God I hope he fires them to the World Cup. 

Say he signs a new deal tomorrow, out of interest, would you want Chile to qualify even if it meant missing numerous games for us next season? The Chile novelty against the potential loss of points for us?

[LordBaltimore]

CONMEBOL's official Twitter feed today featured our boy Ben while promoting the upcoming round of WC qualifyers.  I'm not on Twitter but my wife is so I forced her to look it up and send me the screenshot.

So Ben Brereton Díaz is not only the new face of Chilean football but the face of all South American football it seems.

"The qualifyers are back and Ben knows it" 

Edited November 11, 2021 by LordBaltimore

[LordBaltimore]

10 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Say he signs a new deal tomorrow, out of interest, would you want Chile to qualify even if it meant missing numerous games for us next season? The Chile novelty against the potential loss of points for us?

I know what Ben would want.....

[roversfan99]

6 minutes ago, LordBaltimore said:

I know what Ben would want.....

Of course, but as a Rovers fan, I would want what is best for Rovers.

[LordBaltimore]

A very good article from ESPN based on a recent interview with Ben at Ewood Park.  Gets into some of his biography and the unique story behind his improved play and rise to intercontintenal fame.  It includes a video of part of the interview with some good pictures.

 

  https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-espn-fc-united/story/4517029/ben-brereton-diaz-from-stoke-to-chile-via-blackburnvideo-games-and-whatsapp

Ben Brereton Díaz: From Stoke to Chile via Blackburn, video games, and WhatsApp

BLACKBURN, England -- From the outside looking in, the Ben Brereton Díaz story looks like a footballing fairytale. Once upon a time, there was a young striker from Stoke who was struggling to score goals, but something happened. He started scoring goals, a computer game apparently unearthed his Chilean ancestry, and eventually, he would make his international debut against Lionel Messi. Now he's one of the most famous people in Chile and the face of Pepsi. At the start of the season he was 1000-1 to score 20 league goals for Blackburn Rovers in the Championship. He's already got 13, and the clocks have only just gone back; betting companies in England are already paying out on him reaching the milestone. And all this, six years after he contemplated giving the game up, having been told for a second time he wasn't going to be good enough to be a professional footballer.

In Chile, the crowd chants "Brereton." At Blackburn, they cheer for "Díaz" and it's all a little bit...out there.

Edited November 11, 2021 by LordBaltimore

[frosty]

6 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Say he signs a new deal tomorrow, out of interest, would you want Chile to qualify even if it meant missing numerous games for us next season? The Chile novelty against the potential loss of points for us?

There’ll be a big break next winter for the World Cup won’t there? I’d imagine that’d be the case for at least PL and Championship just like the current international breaks. So he wouldn’t miss any hopefully.

[only2garners]

I think I read that the break for the World Cup would only be for the group stages for the Championship. I guess it's quite likely that if Chile get there that they won't get beyond that anyway but who knows.

[LordBaltimore]

55 minutes ago, only2garners said:

I think I read that the break for the World Cup would only be for the group stages for the Championship. I guess it's quite likely that if Chile get there that they won't get beyond that anyway but who knows.

Chile's chances to qualify are still less than 50% i think but theae 2 games will clear that up.  When Chile has advanced beyond the 1st round in a world cup it is 100% guaranteed we get eliminated by Brazil.  Always.  It is the way it has been.  It is the way it will continue to be.  If Chile make it out of pool stage they are 100% playing Brazil.  And losing .

1962 Chile 2-4 Brazil in semi-finals

1998 Chile 1-4 Brazil rd of 16

2010 Chile 0-3 Brazil rd of 16

2014 Chile 1-1 Brazil (pens 2-3) rd of 16

[Giant]

On 09/11/2021 at 16:37, Darrenbot said:

Paraguay v Chile is live on Freesports on Thursday night 10.55pm

Sky channel 422, Virgin 553, Freeview 64 or freesports.tv.

Vamos Chile! Arriba Benny Boy!

[rigger]

8 hours ago, Giant said:

Sky channel 422, Virgin 553, Freeview 64 or freesports.tv.

Vamos Chile! Arriba Benny Boy!

I am watching on Freesports. What a poor game. The Chileans still seem reluctant to pass to Diaz. Mind you having seen his first touch, I am not surprised.

[AllRoverAsia]

It's a diving competition.

And not a very good one.

[Wegerleswiggle]

Brereton suspended for the next game

[roversfan99]

3 minutes ago, Wegerleswiggle said:

Brereton suspended for the next game

That would be good news for us. Get him a bit of rest and in the country well ahead of the Bristol City game.

[LordBaltimore]

Poor game but a win is a win.  BBD didnt have a great game.  The yellow he received was clumsy & stupid.  Suspended next game.  Good for Rovers but the fans in Santiago on Tuesday will miss him.  Ecuador have a vibrant team but they only seem to play well at Quito.

The Argentine announcers at some point after BBD ran at and into Paraguayan defenders said "....and Brereton, who likes to run, shows why shooting and scoring are more his thing" since he looked stiff & out of sorts running at defenders with the ball.

Chile is in qualifying [play-off] territory for the 1st time now.

[Madon]

Hmm, I'm wondering if it was a tactical yellow to make sure he doesn't miss the Argentina/Brazil games further down the line 🤔

[RoverDom]

If he's suspended, get him on a plane now so he's ready to knock another 7 goals in 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

He’s got a habit of getting unnecessary cards. He needs to have a word with himself.

Edited November 12, 2021 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[Mattyblue]

He’s on his way back… Brazil? Obviously a tactical yellow to be fresh for Ashton Gate!

[Butty]

3 hours ago, Madon said:

Hmm, I'm wondering if it was a tactical yellow to make sure he doesn't miss the Argentina/Brazil games further down the line 🤔

Haha it was just a horrendous Brereton rather than Diaz first touch which left him stretching for the ball, definite yellow and definitely not tactical. Glad he’s coming back to Blighty early though all the same 😂

[LordBaltimore]

Ben vs Paraguay