Steven Caulker is sitting in the welcome shade of an olive grove high up on the Alanya peninsular, Turkey’s Turquoise Coast shimmering in the afternoon sunshine below, talking revival. The former Premier League defender is fit, focused and playing regularly after recent wasted years. The centre-half is settled, a figure of influence whom his manager can rely upon on and off the pitch. It is tempting to consider him a new man.



He is soaking up an unfamiliar culture, making strides learning the language, and developing a liking for the local apple tea. He finds tranquillity in deep sea fishing, or taking himself off into the mountains set back from the coastline, and can even bring himself to watch football on the television again. The notion that further international recognition may lie ahead is suddenly far from outlandish. For the record, Caulker is also top of the league.



“Mentally, I’m probably in the best place I’ve ever been,” he...