The Bayern Munich winger, silver medalist with the French team at the Olympics this summer, is the big attraction of the return of Didier Deschamps’ men. This Tuesday, he was expected to face the media.
At Clairefontaine
His name will not mean anything to the general public, but football followers are already under the spell of Michael Olise (22 years old). The very recent Bayern Munich player, after a transfer this summer for 60-70 million euros from Crystal Palace, but above all the silver medalist with the Blues at the Olympic Games, was called up by Didier Deschamps for the return of the French team. He will experience, barring injury, a first selection against Italy at the Parc des Princes on Friday or Belgium on Monday in Décines in the Nations League.
Born in England to a Nigerian father and a Franco-Algerian mother, he chose France to play football, despite the English’s pleas. This Tuesday, he, who is an Anglophile having almost always lived in London, was expected in front of the microphones to answer questions from the media. To facilitate his integration, he was present alongside Loïc Badé (FC Seville) and Manu Koné (AS Roma), also newcomers to this international sequence.
When he arrives at 4pm sharp in the Clairefontaine auditorium, in flip-flops and wearing the French team tracksuit, Michael Olise takes a seat between his two partners, facing the twenty or so journalists. Unsurprisingly, the first questions are for him. The new Bayern Munich player smiles. Frowns. And gets started. On the reason for his choice to opt for France instead of England, Nigeria or Algeria, where his parents are from. My mother comes from France, when I was little I came here, I had the connection to Francehe says with a very noticeable British accent. This is why I chose France. »
Short answers and a delicate press conference
Asked about his idols among the Blues, he complies: “ Zidane of course, Titi (Thierry Henry, coach of the French Olympic team) the coach too, and many players in the French team who have qualities. But these two players, I like them. » These will be the two longest answers from the main person concerned during the nineteen minutes of his presence in front of the media. The exercise is difficult. Just like his lack of confidence, logical, when he has to speak French.
His feeling at Clairefontaine with the A’s? I am proud to be here. » Being in front of the press this Tuesday? He barely answers and is helped by Manu Koné who comes to the rescue « IHe talks to everyone, he is cool, kind and nice. » The moment is difficult. The minutes a little long.
And otherwise? If he had contacts with Nigeria and Algeria to play with their selections? No answer. Only one smile. How does he describe himself as a person? I am a normal person ” Nothing more. His phone rings, he tries to turn it off discreetly, under the eyes of the attentive press chief.
Loïc Badé, his partner in the Olympic Blues, will help him a little: ” He is a very good person, we lived together for two months and we got attached quickly. He is a good guy. He is very good at werewolf (card game). He is a manipulator » Manu Koné agrees: « He is smiling, we are happy to be with him. Very endearing, very smiling. What he brings on the field, we are all proud. » On the pitch, he will be highly anticipated against Italy and/or Belgium on Friday and Monday. Obviously more incisive and impactful than in the press conference. On this point, no suspense.
