The period of 2016 to 2018 was a special time for Huddersfield Town, as the club managed to achieve things that would last forever.
The Terriers had been a side that spent a lot of time in League One before they eventually moved up into the second tier.
But their jump to the Championship meant they became a club that was expected to always finish around the bottom end of the table.
But in the 2016/17 season, Huddersfield managed to define all the odds and not only competed for a play-off spot but also won promotion to the promised land, the Premier League.
It was a magical time for the club, so therefore, there will be plenty of players particularly remembered by the fans, and forward Elias Kachunga will fit into that category, as he joined the club for a hefty £1.1 million that season, albeit he was initially on loan.
Huddersfield Town signed Elias Kachunga for £1.1 million in a bargain deal
Manager David Wagner made his mark on Huddersfield Town during the 2016/17 season, his first full campaign in charge. Seeking to reshape the squad, the club made several acquisitions of relatively unknown players during the summer transfer window of 2016, including forward Elias Kachunga.
Kachunga, a DR Congo international, arrived at Huddersfield on a season-long loan from FC Ingolstadt, marking a departure from his career spent solely in Germany. Before joining Ingolstadt in 2015, Kachunga had played for clubs like Paderborn, Osnabruck, and Borussia Monchengladbach but struggled to secure regular starting opportunities.
The loan move to Huddersfield proved to be a masterstroke, with Kachunga becoming a prolific goal scorer and a crucial player for the club’s ambitions. His impact was such that in March 2017, Huddersfield exercised the option in his contract, signing him permanently for £1.1 million. This decision was a testament to Kachunga’s outstanding form and contributions during that Championship season.
Elias Kachunga will never be forgotten by Huddersfield Town supporters
Even in 2017, £1.1 million was a lot of money for a team like Huddersfield Town, but looking back, it was a deal that will have delighted the club’s supporters.
As mentioned, the Terriers signed Elias Kachunga on loan initially, and it would have been hard to find anyone who thought his time at the club was going to be as successful as it was.
| Elias Kachunga’s 2016/17 Championship stats for Huddersfield Town | |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 42 |
| Minutes per game | 86 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Goals per game | 0.3 |
| Shots per game | 1.7 |
| Goal conversion | 17% |
| Big chances missed | 6 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Big chances created | 1 |
| Key passes | 1.3 |
| Stats as per Sofascore.com | |
During the 2016/17 season, Kachunga was a pivotal player for Huddersfield, featuring in 41 out of 42 available games and maintaining an impressive average of 86 minutes per game. His standout performances earned him recognition in the team of the week twice, according to Sofascore.com.
The DR Congo international’s contribution was remarkable, finishing the season with 12 goals at a rate of 0.3 goals per game, showcasing a solid goal conversion rate of 17%. His attacking prowess was evident with an average of 1.7 shots per game, although he did miss six significant goal-scoring opportunities.
Beyond his goal-scoring abilities, Kachunga also excelled in creating chances for his teammates. He generated one big chance and averaged 1.3 key passes per game, resulting in two assists over the season, as noted by Sofascore.com.
These performances made Kachunga a beloved figure among Huddersfield supporters, as he played a crucial role in the club’s unexpected journey to achieving their Premier League aspirations, defying expectations along the way.
Kachunga was unable to replicate the form shown in the 2016/17 season in the two Premier League campaigns, but he will still be remembered by the fans as he helped them achieve the success they did, and therefore, he would likely always be welcome back to the football club.
The Terriers never really replaced Kachunga when he departed, and while they may do so in the future, the club will unlikely find a similar player to him who was adored by the fans as much as he was.
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