Islam Slimani is embarking on a three-fold mission at Newcastle. The Algeria striker wants to score the goals needed to keep Rafael Benítez’s side in the Premier League, turn his current loan arrangement from Leicester City into a formal transfer and wear his new club’s famous No 9 shirt.
For the moment Slimani is content with the No 13 he also sports for Algeria but a forward hoping to overcome a thigh strain in time to make his debut at home to Manchester United on Sunday has different long-term plans.
“I feel most comfortable in the No 9 shirt so why not in the future here?” said Leicester’s record £28m signing who nonetheless failed to eclipse, let alone displace, Jamie Vardy in the east Midlands. “I’d be very happy if I could stay here longer. My objective is to score goals here. I already knew a lot about Newcastle and about Alan Shearer. It’s a great club, a very famous club, renowned around the world. I’m happy to be here.
“The big difference between Newcastle and Leicester is that Rafa Benítez trusts me and having the trust of your coach is very important. Before I joined, Rafa phoned me, we had a good chat and there was a good feeling between us. It’s important to get a call like this, to know you’re wanted by a big coach like him. We’ve spoken a lot about a lot of topics, many, many subjects.”
Now Slimani needs to repay Benítez’s faith by proving himself on the pitch. “Yes, that’s true,” said the 29-year-old. “I hope I can show what I’m capable of. At Leicester it was always about injuries but I’m here to give my best fight to the team. My aim is to give 100%every single match.
“I wanted to leave Leicester, I needed a fresh start, Newcastle’s a big club and it’s a good choice for me. A lot of clubs got in touch but I’m pretty sure I made the right choice.”
He would not be drawn as to whether his friend and compatriot Riyad Mahrez was correct to go on strike at Leicester after the Algeria playmaker’s longed for deadline day transfer to Manchester City fell through at the 11th hour.
“Riyad’s an adult, he knows what he’s doing,” said Slimani. “We talk but he’s my friend so what we say is personal and confidential.”
