According to Shields Gazette reporter Miles Starforth, Islam Slimani has continually refused to speak to the press ever since he arrived on loan from Leicester in January – claiming the Algerian hasn’t seemed remotely interested since signing at St James’ Park.
The North-East writer commented on the 29-year-old’s kick out at West Brom’s Craig Dawson, and admitted on his personal Twitter account that he refused to speak to journalists after the game – and not for the first time.
Here’s what he said about the striker, claiming he ‘doesn’t seem arsed’ unlike so many of his NUFC team-mates:
“Brainless kick from Islam Slimani there. His Newcastle career could be over before it really started.
“He refused (again) to speak to journalists after the game.
“He hasn’t spoken since he signed. Doesn’t seem arsed, unlike his team-mates, who have been very open this season.”
It’s worth mentioning that he does not speak good English at all, but it’s disappointing to hear he’s totally shunned the press ever since signing in January. He’s worked hard on the pitch and Rafa’s praised his attitude and effort levels in training, but this is poor:
And he refused (again) to speak to journalists after the game. #nufc
— Miles Starforth (@milesstarforth) April 28, 2018
Following the series of tweets above, Starforth then stated that the striker has ‘not helped himself’ since signing on loan at St James’ on deadline day, feeling certain that Benitez ‘will look elsewhere’ when asked if Benitez could yet sign him permanently this summer.
Slimani will have been annoyed by his thigh injury that’s hampered his loan spell and would have been frustrated not to start on Saturday, but kicking out at Dawson, heading straight down the tunnel as soon as the final whistle went and refusing to speak to the press is poor on his start.
He’s a player I actually rate (although he’s not performed at NUFC) and someone who has the ability to fit into Rafa’s system well, but it looks like his career at Newcastle will be over before it even began.
A retrospective 3-match ban feels imminent, – and with that, any chance he ever had of earning a permanent deal will vanish.
I dont know if Slimani has upset the Apple cart at Newcastle but none of the Players seemed to have any interest on Saturday, all Slimani seemed to be interested in was remonstrateing with his team mates. I have liked the look of him in the few appearances he made but I now get the gut feeling he is upsetting the Apple cart..
fj1200xxx(Quote)
After the last 2 performances it looks like they have been told job done and to wind down the rest of the season, not sure I will be going to Wembley now….
BillytheFish(Quote)