Explaining Islam Slimani’s second chance at Leicester

This article aims to explain why Islam Slimani has been given a second Leicester City chance by Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers

Islam Slimani hasn’t played for Leicester for nearly three years. In fact, the number of days without a Foxes appearance for the Algerian is 1,006. A staggering amount.

Anyone in their right mind who possesses just a modicum of football knowledge or intelligence would have been expecting Slimani’s career in Leicestershire to be finished. Yet, a vocal minority of supporters certainly had their wish granted on Friday as Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed the former will have a role at the club in 2020/21.

What Brendan Rodgers said about Islam Slimani’s Leicester City career

Now, this next statement from Foxes of Leicester is conjecture, but as you can imagine, we have a team of five who examine all business of the King Power side very closely.

It does appear that the club could not find another suitable loan team for Slimani, and no acceptable bids obviously emerged, if any at all – because the forward would’ve been sold, frankly. Irrespective of the excellent goalscoring and facilitating form at Monaco.

But on Friday, Rodgers made a u-turn on the player who has only nine months remaining on his contract. Let’s be honest, Slimani wasn’t in favour, he had three loans for goodness sake. Nevertheless, the Northern Irishman said this on the situation:

"“Yes (Slimani has a role). He’s a player I’ve liked, but he wasn’t going to feature so much for me, and when he came into the club he’d been a number one striker, so it was difficult for him, and that’s why he’s gone out to spend time on loan.“He’s not featured so much over the course of pre-season and the early season, because my thinking was that he would end up going out. But I had it in my mind that if he didn’t go out, he can certainly be someone who could come into our squad.”Read more here"

Will the target man play against Midlands rivals Aston Villa on Sunday when the Premier League returns for Leicester? It’s now a distinct possibility that he’ll play some part due to the potential unavailability of talisman and striker Jamie Vardy. Although, Kelechi Iheanacho will be hoping along with considering his starting place almost assured if the No.9 is ruled out.