Player Profile: Michael Olise

Olise


By Oli Dickson Jefford

Michael Olise has been one of the Premier League’s breakthrough players this season, with the winger putting together a string of impressive displays for Crystal Palace this season. 

The 20-year-old has shown huge potential since making his Palace debut earlier in the campaign and has attracted attention from pundits and fans across the league.

Though Olise is unlikely to leave south east London this summer, having only joined less than a year ago, there are rumours that a move to a bigger club could develop in a year or two.

With Arsenal looking to develop a younger squad and focus on attack, he could be a good fit for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Here is all you need to know about the winger.


Background


Olise was born in Hammersmith in December 2001 to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother, meaning he is eligible to represent England, Nigeria, France and Algeria.

At U18 level he has played for France, making two appearances at the 2019 Toulon Tournament, and in March 2021 he was a standby for Nigeria ahead of two AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho.

Olise is yet to commit his international future to any country however, and Gareth Southgate will likely be keen on persuading him to put on an England shirt should he continue to improve.

Domestically, the 20-year-old was part of the Reading set-up as a junior and in July 2018 was included in the club’s Academy scholarship programme.

The following March he made his senior debut in a 3-0 defeat to Leeds, and he went on to sign his first professional contract that summer.

His first league goal came at the beginning of the 2020/21 Championship season, and he was ultimately crowned EFL Young Player of the Season after a hugely successful campaign individually.

After making 67 appearances for the Royals, he joined Crystal Palace this summer and has already made a significant impact, making 25 appearances so far for Patrick Vieira’s side.



What does he offer?


Olise’s main asset is his blistering pace, which has caused absolute havoc for multiple defenders in the Premier League this season.

He is incredibly dynamic on the ball and is able to cut open opposition defences with ease. He is also good at winning fouls - something that could come in handy if you have a good free-kick taker.

The winger has also been recognised as a good dribbler, while his crossing ability has also improved notably since arriving at Selhurst Park last August.

One area of his game that does still need improvement is his finishing. Though he is not designed to be an out-and-out goalscorer, he has only scored 11 career goals to date.

This might be a slight issue at some clubs but it would be less of an issue at a club with a reliable, potent striker, and he is also likely to improve in this area over the next couple of years.



Would Arsenal be interested?


A young, attacking winger with plenty of pace and huge potential, Olise is the kind of target Arsenal are regularly rumoured to be pursuing.

However, Arsenal probably don’t need a player such as Olise at the moment.

They already have an array of young attacking talent such as Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka who are unlikely to be leaving the club any time soon.

The areas Arsenal particularly need to target are a new holding midfielder and a new striker, and it is hard to see how Olise would adapt to either position.

Olise is certainly a player Arsenal should keep on their radar as it is possible their attacking talent could depart, but he is not a necessity as things stand.


Photo Credit: Getty Images

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