This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict’ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Huddersfield Town are alongside the likes of Rotherham United and Reading in the pursuit of Chesterfield striker Kabongo Tshimanga, Football League World has exclusively revealed.
The forward has bagged 24 goals in 27 National League appearances this term but is currently sidelined with an injury.
Even so, there appear to be plenty of EFL clubs interested in him – with Huddersfield among those.
But would he be a good signing for the Terriers? And do they need him?
Our FLW writers issue their verdicts...
Alfie Burns
It’s interesting to learn that Huddersfield have their eyes on a signing like this.
Josh Koroma has been a decent signing out of non-league for the Terriers in the past, whilst someone like Sorba Thomas needs no introduction, stepping up from Boreham Wood with relative ease this season.
Given Huddersfield’s success in scouting non-league talent, you could certainly see them taking a punt on Tshimanga.
The 24-year-old has been so prolific in 2021/22, scoring at nearly a goal per game, making him one of the hottest properties outside the EFL.
Looking at Huddersfield’s squad, you could certainly argue that they need to refresh their striking options, whether they are a Premier League side or a Championship side.
Danny Ward has had a great year, but he needs a touch more support than what Jordan Rhodes and Fraizer Campbell have offered him.
If it’s to be another year in the Championship, Tshimanga is someone that could bridge a gap.
Josh Cole
Whereas Huddersfield will be keen to bolster their squad this summer, they must avoid taking a risk on Tshimanga.
Although the forward has managed to score 60 goals in the National League during his career, he was less effective in the third-tier for MK Dons as he failed to find the back of the net in six appearances at this level.
When you consider that the Terriers are set to play in either the Championship or the Premier League next season, Tshimanga may find it extremely difficult to adapt to the competitiveness that these divisions are famed for.
Instead of taking a punt on the 24-year-old, Huddersfield should be looking into the possibility of signing players who have a proven track-record of delivering the goods at the highest level.
Carla Devine
Tshimanga has had a brilliant season in the National League with Chesterfield having scored 24 league goals in 27 games this season. The National League top scorer has had a big impact on his side’s success this season.
Obviously, the player has been missing out on game time recently after undergoing an operation following an injury but when fit you can definitely see him getting back to his top form making it understandable why Huddersfield are interested in the 24-year-old.
Although the signing may look like a risk as it’s a big step up from the National League, we’ve seen players rise up successfully in other cases. One only has to look at Ronnie Edwards who is doing brilliantly at Peterborough without having played much senior football.
Even if he was to find it a bit harder in the Championship, with a goal tally so high you can see his lower levels still being quality so it looks like a signing that would be a great leap of faith from Huddersfield.