Daniel Childs

London

Sports Content Creator at Reach PLC

Broadcaster, Presenter & Writer | Creator of SonOfChelsea, @TheChelseaEcho, CFCUK previous work: @90min_football, @Football_LDN

Articles

Enzo Maresca and Chelsea players stepped up, it's now time for those above to do same

1 week ago | therationalperspective.substack.com | Daniel Childs

I had never been on a proper European away before. I was at home for both Champions League wins with my Dad, lucky to be in the ends for the 07 and 09 FA Cup wins at Wembley, along with lifting of the Premier League title in 05, 15 and 17. The closest I got was a pilsner fueled trip for a pre-season friendly against Gladbach in 2019. Even through lack of sleep and some sore heads for many of us, the trip was worth it and will go down as one of my favorite football experiences.
Chelsea's Champions League fate could define a generation

2 weeks ago | therationalperspective.substack.com | Daniel Childs

When you ask people what was the most important win in Chelsea’s modern history, several answers could spring up. For pure joy, winning either of the Champions League crowns in Munich and Porto will hold humungous weight. Others may cite the victories that secured Premier League titles, or the FA Cup in 2007 over Manchester United. However, many cannot look past the 2003 final-day win over Liverpool to secure Champions League football.
Nicolas Jackson's Selfishness reflects Chelsea's damning flaw with Champions League on the line

3 weeks ago | therationalperspective.substack.com | Daniel Childs

I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed. Few of us can truly say we are flabbergasted Chelsea lost at St. James Park again. For most of my life Chelsea have gone up to Tyneside and come back with nothing. From Mourinho through to Conte and now Maresca, Chelsea coaches cannot escape without some form of punishment at that ground. Sunday’s loss at this late stage of the season against a Champions League rival could however prove the most consequential.
Chelsea's Win over Liverpool Meant Far More Than Just Three Points

1 month ago | therationalperspective.substack.com | Daniel Childs

This Means More. At the risk of going down a road of snarky schadenfreude, Chelsea deeply needed this. The players needed this. Enzo Maresca needed this. The supporters needed this. The cinematic conclusion at Stamford Bridge on Sunday provoked the unbridled joy and shared celebration that has felt lost to a void as big as the one from Thunderboltsfor some time. I am writing this before heading to bed on Sunday night, returning home from the Bridge not long ago.
Chelsea's advantage in Conference League lowers stakes but has brought its benefits

1 month ago | therationalperspective.substack.com | Daniel Childs

As far back as a very sunny evening in late May of last year Chelsea became automatic favorites for a tournament they had never played in before. One ponders the alternative timeline if Manchester United had been predictably beaten by their noisy neighbors in that FA Cup final and Chelsea would have ventured into the higher echelons of the Europa League.
Romeo Lavia hints at a better Chelsea team

1 month ago | therationalperspective.substack.com | Daniel Childs

Romeo Lavia perfectly fits the hypothetical era of Chelsea in 2025. There are hypothetical ideas of what Chelsea could be if the club’s grand “project” was to come to fruition. If their rookie head coach could blossom into the next Pep Guardiola. And more common amongst supporters, if talented players could remain fit. Lavia falls into the final category. One that has included a list of regretful tales across the last five years.
Enzo Maresca reflects the failure of Chelsea's Owners to understand supporters

1 month ago | therationalperspective.substack.com | Daniel Childs

Enzo Maresca had an open goal on Sunday afternoon when he walked into the press conference following a draw with relegation bound Ipswich. He could decry this as an unacceptable failure, a bad day at the office, one that did not meet the standard required on a must-win afternoon. Although Maresca’s words could not fully soothe the frustrations of a dismal result, he at the very least had the chance to not pour more fuel onto a growing fire. Then, he started talking about the “environment”.
Chelsea Should Sign Liam Delap based on Today, not Tomorrow

1 month ago | therationalperspective.substack.com | Daniel Childs

When Liam Delap arrives in West London to face Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, he may indeed be visiting his new permanent home from June. The competition for his signature appears stiff, with The Athletic reporting interest from Manchester United, several more Premier League clubs, and even from the likes of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. It is absolutely no secret of Chelsea’s long-standing interest in the ex-Manchester City Academy talent.
SonOfChelsea

2 months ago | therationalperspective.substack.com | Daniel Childs

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Has Pep Guardiola ruined the Premier League?

2 months ago | therationalperspective.substack.com | Daniel Childs

For whatever you think of Gary Neville, it is hard to argue against his influence on mainstream football discourse in the UK. It feels apt that Sunday’s noteworthy outburst by the infamous pundit came four years to the month of his most iconic. It was also a Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford. He was overseeing a drab Manchester United game but something bigger was at stake for the Premier League. Of course, this was to light the blue touch paper against the European Super League.