With 4 goals and 5 assists in just five Ligue 1 games, Islam Slimani is making an outstanding debut in ASM colors. Currently, he is ahead of both Neymar and Dembélé statistically… Can he keep up the pace all season long? His talent and his chemistry with new striking partner Wissam Ben Yedder suggest that he just might…
In football, age does not really matter as much as you might think. We can be 17 years old and become a global phenomenon like Kylian Mbappé under the colors AS Monaco 2 and a half years ago. One can also be 31 years old and be in top form like Islam Slimani this season. After a difficult season where he scored only 5 goals under the colors of Fenerbahçe (in 25 games), the striker spent a wild summer winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria. His signature at AS Monaco, a loan with an option to buy, which was recorded on August 21st, was a half-surprise for the club’s followers. And so the fairytale began…
Wisdom and determination
In 450 minutes of play, Islam Slimani achieved the feat of being decisive in each match. With 4 goals and 5 assists, his statistics are in line with a Neymar Jr or a Lionel Messi. Is the Algerian a phenomenon? No, but he is surely at the top of his form. After a few injuries suffered in 2017 and 2018, he regained his optimal physical condition and, better still, his confidence at all times. But can he keep up the pace all season? Yes because ASM is not playing European football and, at this rate, his tandem formed with Wissam Ben Yedder is set to be very successful. The French international has already scored 5 goals in Ligue 1, which proves the chemistry found between the two men.
Slimani, catch of the year? We believe it.
*Article originally published in the French edition of the Monaco Tribune.