Kabongo Tshimanga departed Chesterfield in the January Transfer Window for Peterborough United after a number of seasons firing in the goals for the Spireites. Paul Cook’s men lost such a pivotal figure in attack, but how has the 25 year-old striker coped with the monumental switch to League One?
The Congolese attacker’s career to date been a slow burner – routinely loaned out from his first club Milton Keynes during the infancy of his playing days before making a name for himself in the non-league scene. He would sign for Chesterfield off the back of goal-laden spells with Oxford City and Boreham Wood in 2021, becoming an instant hero.
His first season in Chesterfield blue instantly made him a transfer target for various EFL clubs, the 2021-22 season saw Tshimanga score 25 goals in all competitions. He would manage that goal return in just 31 appearances overall.
Tshimanga’s effectiveness would lessen however for The Spireites, a serious leg fracture injury would see him sidelined for over half a year. He would return and score another seven goals for Paul Cook’s men during the 2022-23 season before Peterborough United came calling – the Congolese striker initially joining Posh on a loan deal but with a view to make the deal permanent in the summer.
📊 #pufc have completed the signing of #Spireites forward Kabongo Tshimanga
Many say he hasn’t been the same since his injury – the stats suggest otherwise
Posh have got themselves a real gem, one who will score goals for them pic.twitter.com/bMBfPB68oR
— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) January 31, 2023
With Tshimanga stating that the ‘time was right‘ and Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony further commenting that the club had been tracking him for over two years, it was a move that suited all parties involved especially Chesterfield with his injury concerns limiting his free-flowing best in front of goal.
The Spireites haven’t derailed since his departure either, Chesterfield comfortable in 4th spot in the National League with the aspiration of promotion from the playoffs still on.
Tshimanga’s time at London Road to date has seen Darren Ferguson use the January signing sparingly, often used as a bench option to inject pace into Posh’s attack as the clock ticks down. He is yet to start a match for Peterborough United, but he has come on as a substitute seven times. As his minutes have been few and far between – his 34 minute cameo off the bench versus Cheltenham the most he’s managed in a match – he is also yet to score for Posh.
He hasn’t been helped by his team’s overall upturn in form. Darren Ferguson, since re-emerging as Posh boss once more, has steered his side to nine wins from 15 matches. Alongside the general upturn in form, Peterborough United have arguably one of the best attacks in the third tier – Jonson Clarke-Harris leading the golden boot race in the division with 22 goals.
Writer’s View
Kabongo Tshimanga would have had plenty of suitors off the back of his impressive few years with Chesterfield and he’s arguably picked the best club to join in the form of Peterborough United – a club known for letting non-league gems blossom, Dwight Gayle being the obvious example.Â
It’s been a slow start to life in Cambridgeshire for the former Chesterfield man but he’ll be hoping he can still make a worthwhile contribution to Posh’s promotion bid this season. If Jonson Clarke-Harris was to get injured – with Jack Marriott moving to Fleetwood – Darren Ferguson could well look to Tshimanga and hope his non-league best shines in League One.Â
Even still, it’s early days for the Congolese goalscorer at London Road and as his career suggests to this point, he’s one that really comes into his own over time and not in an instant.Â
