After initially writing for Fresh Press as a volunteer for two years in 2015, helping to build and establish the Read brand, Daniel started a part-time job with Fresh Press that later turned into a full-time writing and editing role.
Daniel then spent just shy of a year writing and editing for Anfield Watch, which included conducting and/or transcribing interviews with Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, former Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa, and journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Since the summer of 2021, Daniel has worked for Snack Media and been a contributor to Football FanCast, on a freelance and full-time basis along the way, as a writer and editor.
Daniel is also a big Norwich City fan and season ticket holder. He has been heard on BBC Norfolk and helped DAZN with research for their commentary due to his knowledge of the club, along with being featured in several local papers across the country, including the Coventry Telegraph and the Liverpool Echo, for Norwich-related content.
Glasgow Rangers supporters had their first chance to watch new signing Tochi Chukwuani in action against Annan Athletic at Ibrox in the SFA Cup on Friday night.
The Danish defensive midfielder came on to replace Joe Rothwell in the second half and looked assured on the ball in his cameo, although it is hard to judge his debut in a 5-0 win over a fourth-tier outfit.
There will be bigger tests to come for Chukwuani in a Rangers shirt, starting with the Europa League clash with Ludogorets on Thursday night, and Danny Rohl will be hoping that he can provide quality in the absence of Connor Barron.
The Scotland international was ruled out for up to 12 weeks with a knee injury earlier this month, which means that the Gers are set to be without the former Aberdeen man for most of the rest of this season.
Where Chukwuani could fit in at Rangers
As a natural number six, Chukwuani looks set to play at the base of the midfield for the Light Blues, although that also depends on the formation that Rohl decides to go with when he is on the pitch.
Playing a 4-3-3 formation with the Danish star as the six, with, for example, Thelo Aasgaard and Nico Raskin as the two number eights ahead of him, could be the way to go.
Chukwuani’s form for Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga during the first half of this season suggests that he could be an excellent option at the base of the midfield, breaking up play with his defensive attributes.
| 25/26 Bundesliga | Chukwuani | Rank vs DMs |
|---|---|---|
| Tackles won | 36 | Top 12% |
| Duels won | 94 | Top 10% |
| Duel success rate | 54.7% | Top 28% |
| Aerial duels won | 17 | Top 14% |
| Ball recoveries | 85 | Top 20% |
| Stats via FotMob | ||
As you can see in the table above, the 22-year-old talent ranked highly among his positional peers in a host of defensive metrics, which is why he should play as the number six with more technical and attack-minded players like Aasgaard, Mohamed Diomande, and Raskin ahead of him.
The Rangers target who would be a better signing than Chukwuani
Whilst Chukwuani’s statistics for Sturm Graz suggest that he has the potential to be a solid holding midfield for the Light Blues in the second half of the season, there is another reported Rangers target who could be an even better signing in midfield.
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At the start of this month, it was reported that Rangers are keeping tabs on Motherwell central midfielder Elliot Watt, although it was unclear if they would be willing to make a move for him in the current window or in the summer.
Whether they swoop to sign him now or at the end of the season, the Scottish midfield star could be an even better signing than Chukwuani for the Light Blues if they can agree a deal for his services.
Like the Danish midfielder, Watt brings combative and defensive qualities to the middle of the park. Per Sofascore, he is currently averaging 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game in the Scottish Premiership, whilst Chukwuani averaged 3.1 per game in the Bundesliga.
The key difference between the two players, though, is that the Motherwell star marries quality work out of possession with a threat at the other end of the pitch.
| 25/26 Premiership | Elliot Watt | Rank vs CMs |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | Top 6% |
| xA | 3.09 | Top 14% |
| Assists | 2 | Top 30% |
| Touches | 2,058 | Top 1% |
| Tackles | 43 | Top 11% |
| Duels won | 96 | Top 20% |
| Ball recoveries | 163 | Top 1% |
| Stats via FotMob | ||
As you can see in the table above, Watt ranks among the top-performing midfielders in the Premiership for goals and chances created, as well as ranking highly in several defensive metrics.
The 25-year-old star was hailed as the “best midfielder in the league” this season by Rangers supporter and analyst Kai Watson, and his statistics in and out of possession make it easy to understand why anyone would hold that opinion.
Per Sofascore, the Rangers target has scored four goals and averaged 1.4 key passes per game in the Premiership. Chukwuani, meanwhile, scored one goal and averaged 0.9 key passes per game in the Bundesliga for Sturm Graz across 16 appearances.
These statistics suggest that Watt would be an even more influential player for Rangers in the middle of the park because he can be as disruptive as Chukwuani out of possession, whilst offering far more to the team in possession.
On top of that, Watt is a proven Premiership performer who could hit the ground running as a player who already knows the division and what is required, whilst the Dane may need some time to adjust.
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