Islam Slimani talked to the media at Benton yesterday is hoping to pass a fitness test today so he can make his debut against Manchester United tomorrow afternoon.
The 29-year-old Algerian decided to come to Newcastle as soon as Rafa Benitez had talked to him and it turns out he would already like to join Newcastle permanently in the summer.
Islam Slimani – at his press conference yesterday
That’s dependent on whether he can help us avoid another relegation – which would be horrific and very hard to take for Newcastle’s long-suffering fans.
This is some of what the Algerian International had to say yesterday at the Benton Training grounds:
“Yes, yes, I would like to stay longer if I do well,”
“I’m just on loan at the minute but if I could stay here I’d be very happy, so let’s see how it goes.”
“Alan Shearer was a great, great striker, but from what I know there’s no star here, we’re a group who are gelling, and our aim is to do best for the team.”
“The No 9 is what I feel the most comfortable in, so why not?”
“The big difference is that Rafa trusts me and when you have the trust of your coach that’s very important.”
“They trusted me at Leicester, it’s not that I wasn’t trusted, I started well but then I was dogged by bad health and injuries and couldn’t get in the team.”
“I’m looking forward, Newcastle is now, Leicester was last year.”
“The manager here phoned me and we had a good chat.”
“There was a good feeling between us and it’s important to get a call like this, to know that you’re wanted by a big coach like him.”
“I hope I can show what I’m capable of. At Leicester, I had a good time there and a good season, but it was always about injuries and getting injured.”
“But now it’s about Newcastle. I’ve worked hard all week and the aim is to give 100% every single match.”
“I think Newcastle’s a big club and it’s a good choice,”
“A lot of clubs got in touch but I’m pretty sure I made the right choice. I’m here to support the team and have a good second half to the season.”
“I knew a lot about Newcastle, Alan Shearer, I’d also seen the film Goal.”
“It’s a great club, a very famous club, with world-renowned players like Alan Shearer.”
“I’m here to give my best to fight for my team.”
Those are some excellent comments from Slimani, and he already seems comfortable working under Rafa Benitez, who we hope can get the very best out of him in the final 12 vital games of the season.
Slimani will be wearing the No 13 shirt at Newcastle – a number that has been successful for him when he’s played for the Algerian side.
Sp of our three loan players, Slimani and Dubravka, are playing for their futures on Tyneside, and at some point, we hope that Kenedy will want to join us on a permanent basis.
The 22-year-old is in good hands under Rafa Benitez to bring out all his skills and talents and become a great player in the future.
Hopefully for Newcastle United.
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
Munster Mag
Feb 10, 2018 at 8:37 AM
Comment #1Beefman, have to agree with you, I thought the man City tactic was lame. Away from home is one thing but kicking the ball at the keeper then legging it back to defend was embarrassing, at St James’s. Hope I don’t see that next year if we stay up.
Munster Mag
Feb 10, 2018 at 8:38 AM
Comment #2RIP Liam Miller, fellow munster man. Nice player at his peak, God be good to him as they say.
sing in the corner
Feb 10, 2018 at 8:41 AM
Comment #3Munster
It was a shot, not just kicking it at the keeper.
Well..we had to register an effort on target somehow 🙂
Jib
Feb 10, 2018 at 8:44 AM
Comment #4Rafa has already dropped
big hints that we’ll play defensively
tomorrow.
He said that pundits that criticised his
tactics vs Man City just proved why
they are pundits and not coaches.
The criticism is water off a ducks back
We are not a defensive side but one
that has to defend well at times.
Anyone that goes gung ho vs a top
three side is asking for trouble.
Mag52
Feb 10, 2018 at 8:45 AM
Comment #5Looking forward to seeing Slimani’s name appearing on our goalscorer’s list before long.
It won’t take much this season to become our top scorer.
Jib
Feb 10, 2018 at 8:48 AM
Comment #6Liam Miller actually played for Jesper’s
home town club Aarhus Gymnastikforening
for a season.
Mag52
Feb 10, 2018 at 8:52 AM
Comment #7If a team can keep the top side to parity or near parity for the first hour, the pressure is on them to get the three points and they can look vulnerable, especially if they should have finished off the game earlier (e.g.Man.City v Burnley recently).
I’d certainly take 0-0 at half time v Man.U.
GPPaweyyekna
Feb 10, 2018 at 9:59 AM
Comment #8Don’t want to sound negative as quite frankly, no-one wants to hear it but I cannot see a win coming soon and the way the fixtures are, I can see nothing that will pick our confidence up.
I know the work rate of the players is fine but the confidence, where can you buy confidence at this stage of the season? Don’t say SD. Our only hope is Slimani (apart from Kenedy) which is a lot for someone to have on their shoulders but lets hope he has the minerals.
It’s all hindsight but we should of built on the confidence of being champions last season (although it wasn’t plain to see there either.)
I really don’t want to sound as depressing as I clearly do but just my honest feelings.