Michael Olise Explained

Michael Olise
Fullname:Michael Akpovie Olise[1]
Birth Date:12 December 2001
Birth Place:Hammersmith, London, England
Height:1.84m[2]
Currentclub:Bayern Munich
Clubnumber:17
Youthyears1:2009
Youthclubs1:Arsenal
Youthyears2:2009–2016
Youthclubs2:Chelsea
Youthyears3:2016–2017
Youthclubs3:Manchester City
Youthyears4:2017–2019
Youthclubs4:Reading
Years1:2019–2021
Clubs1:Reading
Caps1:67
Goals1:7
Years2:2021–2024
Clubs2:Crystal Palace
Caps2:82
Goals2:14
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:Bayern Munich
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:France U18
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2022–2023
Nationalteam2:France U21
Nationalcaps2:7
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:2024
Nationalteam3:France Olympic
Nationalcaps3:9
Nationalgoals3:5
Club-Update:16:00, 22 June 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:20:50, 9 August 2024 (UTC)

Michael Akpovie Olise (born 12 December 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Born in England, Olise represents France at youth level.

The product of various English academies, Olise made his professional debut for Reading in 2019. In 2021, he was signed by Premier League club Crystal Palace, where he spent three seasons and was nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year in 2024.

Early life

Olise was raised in Hayes, near Heathrow, and born in White City, London,[3] to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother.[4]

Club career

Early career

Olise joined Hayes and Yeading around the age of six, before joining the Chelsea Academy.[5] He was a youth player at Arsenal, Chelsea (spending seven years with them before leaving aged 14), and Manchester City.[6]

Reading

In July 2018, Olise was inducted into Reading's Academy scholarship program.[7] He made his debut for Reading on 12 March 2019, in a 3–0 home defeat to Leeds United,[8] and on 15 July, he signed a three-year professional contract with the club.[9] He scored his first league goal for Reading on 19 September 2020, volleying home in the 76th minute with the second goal in a 2–0 win over Barnsley at the Madejski Stadium.[10] In April 2021 he was nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Season.[11] On 29 April 2021, he was crowned EFL Young Player of the Season.[12]

Crystal Palace

On 8 July 2021, Olise signed a five-year deal with Premier League side Crystal Palace after they had activated his £8.37 million release clause.[13]

On 11 September 2021, he made his Premier League debut for the club in a 3–0 home win against Tottenham after coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute in place of Jordan Ayew.[14] [15] Later that month, on 23 September, Olise made his full debut for Crystal Palace in a 1–1 home draw against Newcastle United.[16] [17]

On 3 October 2021, Olise scored his first Premier League goal for the club as a second-half substitute in a 2–2 home draw against Leicester City.[18] In doing so he became Palace's youngest Premier League scorer since Clinton Morrison in 1998.[19]

On 9 April 2023, Olise became the youngest player to assist three goals from open play in a single Premier League match in a 5–1 victory against Leeds United.[20] On 13 May, he became the first Palace player to register ten assists in a single Premier League season, setting up Eberechi Eze's second goal in a 2–0 win against Bournemouth.[21] On 17 August 2023, it was announced Olise had signed a new four-year deal with Crystal Palace, amidst reports that he was on the verge of re-joining Chelsea.[22]

Olise suffered a hamstring injury described by Palace manager Roy Hodgson as "serious" in a 4–1 defeat by Brighton on 3 February 2024, having only just come on as a substitute.[23] He returned from injury in April that year, which was followed by strong performances including scoring a brace in a 4–0 victory over Manchester United on 6 May.[24] [25] He eventually concluded the season with ten goals and six assists in just 19 appearances across the season, having been invigorated under coach Oliver Glasner, and was later nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year.[26] His impressive form attracted interest from other Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United.[27] [28] [29] On 7 July, the club announced that he had completed a permanent transfer to Bayern Munich, with Olise penning the club a farewell message on Instagram.[30]

Bayern Munich

On 7 July 2024, Bundesliga club Bayern Munich announced the signing of Olise from Crystal Palace on a five-year contract valid through to 30 June 2029,[31] for a reported transfer fee of €60m including add-ons.[32] He made his debut as a substitute in a 4–0 DFB-Pokal win against SSV Ulm on 16 August, registering an assist for Kingsley Coman's goal within two minutes of entering the pitch.[33]

International career

Olise was born in England to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, and is eligible to represent France, Algeria, England or Nigeria internationally.[34] On 27 May 2019, he was called up to the France U18 for the 2019 Toulon Tournament.[35] He made his debut on 2 June 2019, against Qatar U23. In March 2021, Olise was named as a standby for the Nigeria squad taking part in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho.[36]

In March 2022, Olise was called up to the France under-21 team for the first time,[37] and made his debut in the side's 2–0 win over the Faroe Islands on 24 March.[38]

On 8 July 2024, he was called up in France’s final squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.[39] He had previously received his first cap with the French team on 4 July during a friendly game against Paraguay.[40] One week later, on 11 July, he scored his first two goals during another friendly match, a 7–0 win against Dominican Republic.[41] On 24 July, during France's Olympic opener against the United States, he scored a goal, contributing to the team's 3–0 victory.[42] He finished the tournament with two goals and five assists.

Style of play

Olise is a left-footed attacking midfielder who can play as a number 10, or either side of this position as a left or right-sided attacking midfielder. He possesses a range of passing which he can use often to play in behind the opposition defence or switch the angle of attack. He likes to operate 50 to 30 yards out from goal in the right half-space, where he can use various options to continue the attack.[43]

On the ball, Olise is an agile and mobile player. He is capable of turning quickly with good acceleration and change of pace, even when he is dribbling in very tight spaces or running with the ball.[44]

Personal life

Olise's younger brother Richard is also a footballer and joined Chelsea as an Under-9, representing England at youth level.[45]

Career statistics

[46]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Reading2018–19Championship40000040
2019–20Championship1903010220
2020–21Championship4471010467
Total6774020737
Crystal Palace2021–22Premier League2625200314
2022–23Premier League3721020402
2023–24Premier League191000001910
Total821462209016
Bayern Munich2024–25Bundesliga00100010
Career total14921112400016423

Honours

France U23

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: 2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed . Premier League . 10 September 2021 . 12 September 2021.
  2. Web site: Michael Olise Profile & Stats. Premier League.
  3. Web site: 9 October 2021 . Linked-up: How Palace's generation of local talent grew up connected - News . 23 June 2024 . Crystal Palace F.C. . en-GB.
  4. Web site: 13 June 2024 . Michael Olise - Midfielder First-Team . 23 June 2024 . Crystal Palace F.C. . en-GB.
  5. Web site: 9 October 2021 . Linked-up: How Palace's generation of local talent grew up connected - News . 23 June 2024 . Crystal Palace F.C. . en-GB.
  6. News: Michael Olise: Crystal Palace winger's path from Chelsea released to Eagles star . BBC Sport . 16 April 2022 . 20 July 2024 . Harry . De Cosemo.
  7. Web site: 12 youngsters inducted onto Academy scholarships . Reading F.C. . 27 May 2019 . 3 July 2018.
  8. Web site: East and Olise presented with framed debut shirts . Reading F.C. . 27 May 2019 . 23 March 2019.
  9. Web site: Olise signs three-year professional deal with the Royals . Reading F.C. . 15 July 2019 . 15 July 2019.
  10. Web site: Reading 2-0 Barnsley . 19 September 2020 . BBC . 19 September 2020.
  11. News: Buendia, Pukki & Toney up for EFL award. BBC Sport.
  12. News: Norwich's Buendia wins top EFL award. en-GB. BBC Sport. 25 January 2022.
  13. Web site: Michael Olise: Crystal Palace close to signing Reading forward . BBC Sport . 7 July 2021. 8 July 2021.
  14. News: Palace beat 10-man Spurs for first win. en-GB. BBC Sport. 25 January 2022.
  15. Web site: Low. Jonathan. 13 September 2021. Patrick Vieira says Michael Olise must show he's a team player at Crystal Palace. 25 January 2022. BerkshireLive. en.
  16. News: Wilson stunner rescues point for Jones' Newcastle. en-GB. BBC Sport. 25 January 2022.
  17. Web site: Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle United – 23 October 2021 – Soccerway. 25 January 2022. uk.soccerway.com.
  18. News: Palace fight back to salvage draw with Leicester. en-GB. BBC Sport. 23 January 2022.
  19. Web site: Wyatt. Mark. 5 October 2021. Patrick Vieira says Michael Olise still needs time to develop. 25 January 2022. Football.London. en.
  20. Web site: Leeds United 1–5 Crystal Palace. Sky Sports. 10 April 2023.
  21. Web site: Crystal Palace 2–0 Bournemouth. BBC Sport. 13 May 2023. 13 May 2023.
  22. Web site: 17 August 2023 . Michael Olise signs new four-year contract - News . 17 August 2023 . Crystal Palace F.C. . en-GB.
  23. News: Michael Olise: Roy Hodgson says injury for Crystal Palace winger is 'devastating' . 9 February 2024 . BBC Sport . 8 February 2024.
  24. Web site: Woosnam . Matt . Tharme . Liam . Michael Olise – what makes him so special? . The Athletic . 12 April 2024 .
  25. Web site: Aarons . Ed . Michael Olise works magic for Palace to deepen Manchester United's misery . The Guardian . 6 May 2024 .
  26. Web site: Why Olise can have a major impact in 2024/25 Fantasy . Premier League . 16 June 2024 .
  27. Web site: Beattie . Darren . Manchester United eyeing summer move for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise - paper round . Eurosport . 4 January 2024 .
  28. Web site: Arsenal favourites ahead of Man Utd & Chelsea to sign Michael Olise . OneFootball . 19 April 2024 .
  29. Web site: Michael Olise: Chelsea and Newcastle approach Crystal Palace about signing winger . Sky Sports . 14 June 2024 .
  30. Web site: 7 July 2024 . Michael Olise departs Palace for Bayern Munich. 7 July 2024 . Crystal Palace F.C. . en-GB.
  31. Web site: FC Bayern sign Michael Olise. FC Bayern Munich. 7 July 2024. 7 July 2024.
  32. Web site: Michael Olise transfer: Crystal Palace forward completes £50.8m move to Bayern Munich . Sky Sports . 8 July 2024 .
  33. Web site: Bayern down Ulm to advance to second cup round. 16 August 2024. FC Bayern Munich.
  34. Web site: Meet Michael Olise, already the Championship's most-coveted wonderkid. Mike. Walters. 15 January 2021. mirror.
  35. Web site: Loïc Mbe Soh and Arthur Zagre with France U18 . psg.fr/ . Paris Saint-Germain F.C. . 27 May 2019 . French . 27 May 2019.
  36. Web site: Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr clarifies Ahmed Musa is non-playing captain . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 10 March 2021 . 10 March 2021.
  37. Web site: Michael Olise named in France Under-21s squad . Crystal Palace F.C. . 17 March 2022 . 17 March 2022.
  38. Web site: Olise makes first France U21 appearance in Faroe Islands win – News . 25 March 2022 . Crystal Palace F.C. . en-GB.
  39. Web site: Thierry Henry dévoile la liste officielle pour les JO 2024 avec quatre réservistes . L’Equipe . 11 June 2024.
  40. Web site: Premier test réussi face au Paraguay . FFF . 11 June 2024.
  41. Web site: L'équipe de France olympique corrige la République dominicaine en match de préparation aux JO . L’Equipe . 11 July 2024.
  42. Web site: L'équipe de France réussit son entrée aux JO 2024 face aux États-Unis . fr . L'Équipe . 24 July 2024 . Mickaël . Duché . 25 July 2024.
  43. Web site: 27 July 2021. Michael Olise Scout Report: How Crystal Palace's big signing from Reading can help Vieira get off to a good start. 25 January 2022. Total Football Analysis Magazine. en-GB.
  44. Web site: Michael Olise: Reading's breakthrough teenager. 26 January 2022. Total Football Analysis Magazine. en-GB.
  45. Web site: Michael Olise To Represent France At Toulon Tournament . thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/ . The Tilehurst End . 27 May 2019 . 27 May 2019.
  46. Web site: M.Olise. Soccerway. 13 March 2019.
  47. News: Ronay . Barney . 9 August 2024 . Camello’s extra-time double clinches football gold for Spain against France . 9 August 2024 . The Guardian . 0261-3077.
  48. Web site: 29 April 2021. 2021 EFL Awards winners announced. 27 October 2021. EFL.
  49. 1387856623251644416. EFL. It's time to introduce your @SkyBetChamp Team of the Season! #EFL #EFLAwards. EFL (English Football League). 29 April 2021. 27 October 2021.
  50. News: 3 February 2023 . Olise free-kick wins Budweiser Goal of the Month . 3 February 2023 . Premier League.
  51. Web site: 3 June 2021. Norwich City dominate with six players in PFA Championship team of the year. 3 June 2021. BBC Sport.
  52. News: Olise earns Scholar of the Year award. 9 May 2019. 23 January 2022. Reading F.C..
  53. News: 24 May 2023 . Michael Olise named Players' Player of the Season 22/23 . 28 May 2023 . Crystal Palace F.C..
  54. News: 24 May 2023 . Olise free-kick named Palace's 22/23 Goal of the Season . 28 May 2023 . Crystal Palace F.C..