When it comes to making it at the top level of professional football, possessing confidence is an absolute must. In Michael Olise’s case, he could share his round with the rest of the Premier League.
Olise plays football as if he was still on the streets of London with his friends. An arrogance and swagger to his game makes him one of the most entertaining footballers to watch in England’s top-flight.
The 22-year-old has the talent – he has that in abundance – but it is his work ethic that means he has made the top level of English football. It was not always smooth sailing for Olise, though, who left Chelsea at the age of 14 after spending seven years with the west London club’s academy.
football.london understands the decision for Olise to leave was very much a mutual one and he then went onto join Manchester City, where he spent 12 months. The London-born France Under-23s international then joined Reading in 2017 where he spent two years in the Royals’ academy before breaking into the senior squad.
In the 2020/21 season, Olise really showcased himself in the Championship for Reading. The then 19-year-old won the EFL Young Player of the Season for his contribution with the club and it had Premier League clubs purring at the thought of signing him.
What made him even more attractive to top-flight sides was his £8million release clause. Several top-six clubs from the Premier League were keeping a close eye on Olise’s situation but Crystal Palace took the ascendancy and ended up signing the winger.
Olise has now been with Palace for three seasons and has made quite the name for himself in the south of London. He and his Eagles teammate Eberechi Eze have often been separated from their colleagues when people chat about Crystal Palace. People often just refer to ‘Olise and Eze’, emphasising just how much the duo stand out.
While showcasing his ability on-the-ball, he has often been criticised for his lack of final product. In his first two Premier League seasons, Olise managed a combined four goals, scoring twice in each campaign; but he took his game to another level last year.
Despite playing just 19 times, exactly half of Palace’s league games, Olise bagged himself 10 goals and provided six assists. In a mixed season for the Eagles, the winger stood out above the rest and such form has earned him interest from all over the continent.
Bayern Munich are one of the several clubs considering their options with Olise. Manchester United are in a similar situation, while Newcastle United are one of two clubs who have approached Crystal Palace about the signing.
The other, of course, is Chelsea. The club that mutually agreed to let him go around eight years ago. Well, they are back. It happens in football.
Some youngsters develop into players and athletes that clubs did not think was possible. If Chelsea do manage to get a deal for Olise over the line this summer, then it would be a statement marquee signing to kick-start the Enzo Maresca reign at Stamford Bridge.
