Islam Slimani, the seasoned Algerian striker, is potentially preparing for a new chapter as reports indicate his dissatisfaction with his current situation at CR Belouizdad. Slimani embarked on his return to the team where he began his professional career, but his experience has not been smooth sailing, as he faces challenges and uncertainty.
At 36 years old, Slimani’s return to CR Belouizdad has left him on the bench more often than he would like, coupled with constant misunderstandings with the management and head coach Abdelkader Amrani. Despite having participated in 8 games where he found the net 3 times, his contribution has not aligned with the expectations he set for himself upon his return to the club.
With the upcoming winter transfer window, rumors have surfaced about Slimani's potential departure from Algerian football. According to La Gazette du Fennec, Slimani’s name has reemerged on the radar of clubs from Switzerland and Italy, as he seeks to regain his form and competitiveness at the European level.
The Italian club Como is reportedly interested, having shown interest during the summer transfer window. Como, currently struggling to maintain their position within Serie A, could benefit significantly from Slimani’s experience and prowess as they battle relegation.
“Cesc Fabregas, who coaches Como, is someone familiar with Slimani’s skill set, as they were teammates at AS Monaco during the 2019-2020 season,” the report mentioned, noting Fabregas’s belief in Slimani adding value to the team. Slimani’s well-rounded experience playing for top clubs across Europe, including Leicester City, Olympique Lyonnais, and Sporting Lisbon, positions him as an asset for any team.
Nevertheless, the forward’s situation at CR Belouizdad has not been devoid of controversy. Recently, he opted out of being listed for a match against Stade d’Abidjan during the African Champions League, which fueled speculation about his commitment to the club.
While he has returned to training, it seems the tensions between him and coach Amrani persist. Slimani reportedly expressed his desire to leave the Algerian league, as the environment and training methods do not meet his expectations, which he has grown accustomed to during his time abroad.
His representatives are actively working to secure him a transfer, and indications suggest strong potential for imminent movement to either Italy or Switzerland. Although Slimani has expressed disappointment with the way things have transpired during his second stint in Algeria, he remains hopeful about returning to form and potentially rejoining the Algerian national squad, where he holds notable records as one of the most capped players.
For Slimani, this pivotal moment may redefine his career narrative as he seeks to leave behind the challenges he has faced domestically and continue his professional aspirations on European soil. With the winter transfer window approaching, fans and analysts alike will be keeping their eyes closely on how events will unravel for the iconic Algerian forward.
