Huddersfield Town: 2016 David Wagner transfer swoop was underrated at the time

There’s no denying that Huddersfield’s 2016–17 Premier League promotion was unexpected. The Terriers were back in the top level for the first time since 1971–1972.

Players from Huddersfield would move on to greater and better things after the 2016–17 season. similar to how Bournemouth’s Philip Billing and Brighton’s Aaron Mooy moved.

Elias Kachunga, who was signed by David Wagner on loan from FC Ingolstadt, a Bundesliga team at the time, with little fanfare, was another important member of that team. The surprise and excitement of the 25-year-old’s debut were increased because nobody really understood who he was or what kind of play he was doing. He was nearly an unfairly underappreciated member of the promotion-winning team that defeated Reading FC in the 2017 Championship play-off final by the time he left West Yorkshire.

With pivotal moments that saw Huddersfield win the premier league, the now-NFL veteran caused a stir in the club’s culture. At the time, Kachunga characterised it as “a big step in my life, coming to a new country, new club, and league but I hope I can help the team to have a good season.” It was his first experience playing football outside of Germany.

Under David Wagner, an immediate effect

On August 5, 2016, the DR Congo international scored his first goal in his debut Championship match for The Terriers, defeating Brentford 2-1.

Six days later, in September 2016, Elias Kachunga would emerge victorious once more, this time at home against QPR, winning 2-1. This would set up the striker’s greatest moment while at Huddersfield, which came against Derby County.

Prior to their matchup with The Rams, Wagner’s team had lost two straight games and had pulled away from Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United in the automatic promotion spots.

Conversely, Derby had won four of their previous five games under new manager Steve McLaren. The two teams were engaged in a spirited contest that appeared to end in a draw. However, just when that result seems inevitable, Kachunga scored a header in 90+3 minutes to cause mayhem at The John Smith’s Stadium. The German head coach couldn’t contain his joy either, as he wheeled away down the touchline in celebration.

He scored 12 goals in 42 games, capping off an incredible season in which they won promotion thanks to his brilliant efforts.

The manager made the permanent signing for the number nine in March 2017 after both the Terriers and their fans fell in love with Kachunga. Wagner praised the estimated £1.1 million to sign the striker permanently, calling the loanee “a very popular man” in his Huddersfield team.

DR Congo striker’s Premier League performance fell short of what Huddersfield supporters had become accustomed to, as he only managed one top-flight goal in 39 games.

Although Richard Keogh spent two stints at Huddersfield Town, the team was never able to acquire the player that Derby County did.
Huddersfield witnessed Kachunga’s peak.

Following his departure from Huddersfield, Kachunga signed a free transfer with Sheffield Wednesday. The transfer didn’t work out, though, as Kachunga only scored once in 29 games for The Owls.

In August 2021, he signed a two-year contract with Bolton Wanderers and moved on. His tenure with this particular club would be the longest since he played 91 games and scored nine goals for The Trotters at Huddersfield.

On May 1st, Cambridge United extended his contract because they wanted to play him into the following season following a mediocre campaign. In the end, though, he’s not quite reaching the same levels that he achieved during that first loan while a Terrier.

Wagner undoubtedly produced the finest results out of a highly talented young Kachunga during a period when Huddersfield was enjoying success.

It is impossible to overstate the impact Kachunga had on an incredible moment for the club, even though Huddersfield fans have numerous heroes from the time he joined. Nobody in England has seen more from the forward.