Algerian international striker Islam Slimani, currently plying his trade with KV Malines, recently reflected on his football journey, revealing a near move to Inter Milan during his time at Leicester.
Speaking to Gianluca Di Marzio, Slimani touched upon his stint at Leicester, highlighting the initial success that turned into a challenging period after the managerial change.
He expressed no regrets, acknowledging the memorable experience with the club that became Premier League champions in the 2015-2016 season.
“At the beginning everything was going well, then there was a change of manager, and he (Craig Shakespeare) preferred to bet on the players who had won the Premier League the year before,” Slimani explained. Despite the shift in his role, he maintained appreciation for the squad and Leicester as a fantastic club.
The Algerian striker, with 102 caps and 42 goals for the national team, shared a pivotal moment when Inter Milan came knocking in the winter of 2020 during his loan spell at Monaco. “At the time of Monaco in 2020, I was on the verge of signing for Inter Milan.
Antonio Conte wanted me to replace Lukaku, who was injured, but it was January 31 and there was no time. It’s a shame, I would have liked that. Maybe one day, who knows. At 35, I’m still young,” Slimani revealed with a light-hearted laugh.
Slimani also praised his compatriots in the national team, highlighting Ismaël Bennacer’s deserved success and sharing thoughts on Riyad Mahrez’s career move to Saudi Arabia from Manchester City.
Recently, there were speculations about the possible end of Slimani’s international career following Algeria’s early exit in the first round of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Slimani has not made any official announcement, leaving his future in the national team open for the new coach to decide.
The 1.88m giant continues his football journey, contributing to KV Malines and holding onto the prospect of new opportunities in the ever-evolving world of football.
💬 Islam Slimani :
« À Monaco, j’étais tout près de signer à l’Inter. Conte voulait que je remplace Lukaku, mais c’était le 31 janvier et il n’y avait pas assez de temps. C’est dommage, j’aurais bien aimé. Peut-être un jour: j’ai 35 ans, je suis encore jeune. »
(@DiMarzio) pic.twitter.com/hoh2cm1DLK
— Le Fennec (@LeFennecFC) February 13, 2024
