New signing Kabongo Tshimanga is 'jewel in the crown', says Chesterfield manager James Rowe

New Chesterfield signing Kabongo Tshimanga is the ‘jewel in the crown’ after a much-needed squad transformation, says boss James Rowe.
New signing Kabongo Tshimanga.New signing Kabongo Tshimanga.
New signing Kabongo Tshimanga.

The 24-year-old striker joined from Boreham Wood for an undisclosed fee last week.

He has scored almost 40 league goals in the last two seasons.

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When asked by the DT what qualities Tshimanga has, Rowe said: “I think he can bring us something that we haven’t got in terms of off the shoulder, raw pace, finishing with both feet, he is a great age and I am really looking forward to working with him and developing that next stage of his career.

“I have seen him live many times and I am delighted that the board have backed me on that one.”

Tshimanga was not ‘risked’ against Grimsby Town last Saturday but could make his debut in the season opener at Aldershot this weekend.

“He has had five 90 minutes this pre-season so there was no need to risk him here and I know how he can fit into the team, I have seen enough of him,” Rowe explained.

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Trialists Melvin Minter and Jim Kellermann will be signing and then that will be the end of Town’s transfers business, Rowe said.

The gaffer is pleased with the make-up of his squad and says they have ‘five or six assets’ who are under the age of 25 and that was a big part of his recruitment plan.

“With the likes of Jack Clarke, the increasing development in Laurence Maguire, Calvin Miller coming in, we have got players under-25 that we are developing so it is important that as a club of this stature that we have those players as well as the experienced ones."

On the big upheaval since his appointment, Rowe added: “We got there, it has been a long road, but it was important because a club like this can’t be in the lower echelons of this league and we needed to change it. The transformation of the squad and the age demographic had to come down. Nothing is ever personal, it is always for the best interest of the club and I am really pleased with the last little jewel in the crown.”