Glasgow Rangers supporters had their first chance to watch new signing Tochi Chukwani in action on Friday night in the SFA Cup against Annan Athletic at Ibrox.
The Danish defensive midfielder came on as a substitute for Joe Rothwell in the second half and looked confident on the ball in his cameo appearance, but it is difficult to rate his debut in the 5–0 win against the fourth-tier team.
Chukwani has bigger tests ahead of him in a Rangers shirt, starting with Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Ludogorets, but manager Danny Rolle will be hoping he can show his quality in the absence of Conor Barron.
The Scotland international was ruled out for up to 12 weeks with a knee injury earlier this month, which means Gers will be without the former Aberdeen player for much of the remainder of the season.
Where Chukwani could thrive with Rangers
As a natural No. 6, Chukwani is likely to play at the base of the Light Blues’ midfield, but that will depend on what formation Rohr chooses when he takes the field.
Playing in a 4-3-3 formation with six Danish stars, with For example Thero Asgaard and Nico Raskin as the two number eights in front of them, might be the best way forward.
Chukwani’s form with Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga earlier this season suggests he could be a good option at the base of midfield and break up play with his defensive attributes.
25/26 Bundesliga | Bamboo Seki | Rank vs DM |
|---|---|---|
tackle win | 36 | Top 12% |
won a duel | 94 | Top 10% |
Duel success rate | 54.7% | Top 28% |
won an aerial battle | 17 | Top 14% |
Number of balls collected | 85 | Top 20% |
Statistics by FotMob | ||
As can be seen from the table above, the 22-year-old talented player ranks higher than his positional colleagues in many defensive metrics, and should therefore play as a number six, with more technical and attacking-minded players like Asgaard, Mohamed Diomande and Raskin ahead of him.
Rangers are targeting who to sign rather than Chukwani
Chukwani’s stats at Sturm Graz suggest he has the potential to anchor the Light Blues’ midfield in the second half of the season, but there is another reported target for Rangers, which could mean signing an even better player in midfield.
It was reported earlier this month that Rangers were monitoring Motherwell central midfielder Elliot Watt, but it was unclear whether they were keen to make a move this season or in the summer.
Whether he signs a deal now or at the end of the season, the Scottish midfield star could be an even better deal for the Light Blues than Chukwani.
Like the Danish midfielder, Watt brings combative and defensive qualities to the center of the park. According to Sofascore, Chukwani is currently averaging 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game in the Scottish Premiership, compared to 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game in the Bundesliga.
But the main difference between the two players is that Motherwell’s star combines quality work in possession with a threat at the other end of the pitch.
25/26 Premiership | Elliot Watt | Rank vs CM |
|---|---|---|
the goal | 4 | Top 6% |
Shah | 3.09 | Top 14% |
assist | 2 | Top 30% |
touch | 2,058 | Top 1% |
tackle | 43 | Top 11% |
won a duel | 96 | Top 20% |
Number of balls collected | 163 | Top 1% |
Statistics by FotMob | ||
As you can see from the table above, Watt ranks at the top of the Premiership midfielders for goals and chances created, and also ranks high for several defensive metrics.
The 25-year-old star has been hailed as ‘the best midfielder in the league’ this season by Rangers supporter and analyst Kai Watson, and looking at his stats both in and out of possession it’s easy to see why everyone would hold that opinion.
According to Sofascore, the Rangers target has scored four goals and averaged 1.4 key passes per game in the Premiership. Meanwhile, Chukwani made 16 appearances in the Bundesliga for Sturm Graz, scoring one goal and averaging 0.9 key passes per game.
These stats suggest Watt will become an even more impactful player for the Rangers in the middle of the park. That’s because while he can be as disruptive as Chukwani when in possession, he can provide much more to the team in possession.
On top of that, Watt is a proven Premiership performer and could hit the ground running as a player who already knows the division and what is required, while the Dane may take time to adapt.
Rangers could land a better signing than Skov Olsen on ‘absolute live wire’
Rangers could secure an even better contract than Andreas Skov-Olsen by raiding the Premiership star.
Rangers should therefore consider signing the Motherwell star as an upgrade to Chukwani, giving Rolle two great options in that area of the pitch before his expiry date ends.
