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Slimani shines in Premier League debut for Leicester City

By Jake Fitzgerald-Marcin

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 31: New Leicester City signing Islam Slimani poses for pictures in Paris before re-joining his international team mates after passing a medical and joining Leicester City from Sporting Lisbon for a club record fee on August 31, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 31: New Leicester City signing Islam Slimani poses for pictures in Paris before re-joining his international team mates after passing a medical and joining Leicester City from Sporting Lisbon for a club record fee on August 31, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) /
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Islam Slimani netted two goals for Leicester City in his Premier League debut after a deadline day deal saw him transferred from Sporting CP for a £29 million fee

Islam Slimani couldn’t have dreamed up a better Premier League debut.

After becoming the Premier League champions record signing on the last day of the summer transfer window (£29 million), he showed why they were willing to spend the cash as he netted two goals in Leicester’s 3-0 victory over Burnley.

Playing at King Power Stadium, his new home, he grabbed his first goal in first half stoppage time off a nice header from a Christian Fuchs free kick. Fuchs took the free kick only couple yards from the touch-line the left side of the field. The defender rocketed the ball into the six yard box and Slimani was able to rise above the defenders and give Leicester a 1-0 lead going into the break.

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His second goal came right after the break in the 48th minute. Mahrez brought the ball into the box on the right side to start the play. He then passed the ball to Jamie Vardy who simply flicked the ball up towards the back post. Slimani was waiting at the back post and tapped the ball in easily with his head to double Leicester’s lead.

Leicester fans are very happy with the performance today. 2 goals is obviously something to cheer about, but Slimani also showcased why he will be such an asset. Last season, even though they won the league, Leicester missed having a big striker to hold up play and compete for balls in the box. The 28-year-old Algerian striker is exactly the type of player they need and will compliment Vardy’s play very well. The pairing of Vardy and Slimani up top, along with Mahrez commanding the midfield, will force Premier League opponents to use much of their energy defending.

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This convincing win not only was a successful debut for Slimani, but it also caps off a great week for Leicester City. Midweek they dominated their first Champions League group stage match, winning 3-0 over Belgian side Club Brugge. This week also gets them back on track after a shaky start to the Premier League season. To this point they  had only 4 points from 4 matches and a -3 GD. This win not only gives moves them up in the table, but also brings the GD back to even.

Hopefully as a result of the increased skill up top, Vardy will have less pressure and will play more freely. Foxes fans hope that Slimani will continue to play this well and that Leicester City can build on this successful week in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

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