Arriving as Leicester’s record purchase back in 2016, Islam Slimani was meant to be the marquee signing to help the Foxes find the back of the net more often, taking some pressure off Jamie Vardy in the process.
Unfortunately, the Algeria international’s time in England didn’t exactly go as planned, perfectly embodied by his loan spell at Newcastle where injuries and competition just got in the way.
Now on a temporary deal at Fenerbahce, the 30-year-old is looking to find some form again, although he is yet to score in his first two games despite playing them in their entirety.
However, he is still pleased with how things have gone so far, opening up to DZ Foot about it and discussing his spell in the United Kingdom.
He said: “I wasn’t lacking the trust of my managers. After all, it’s Claudio Ranieri who signed me. It’s not his fault. With him, I started, I scored, I was the best forward in the team, but it’s after the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations that everything changed, when I got injured.
“I was out for two months, and Leicester changed manager. Then there were more changes, and that’s why I didn’t play much in England”.
For now, all Slimani wants to do is get back into shape and play regularly, knowing the goals will follow.
With no option to buy in his Fenerbahce loan, and three years left on his Leicester deal, a return to King Power Stadium, even if it is brief, remains inevitable.
If he can prove that he’s back in business, perhaps he could even cause Claude Puel a headache next season?
