A silver medal at the Olympic Games, a 60 million euro transfer to a European giant and a great start to the season, then a first call-up with the Blues at the start of the school year, soon followed by the heavy status of Antoine’s heir Griezmann: for several weeks, the destiny of Michael Olise has been running at full speed. A little too much, no doubt. Because if the French winger made his debut at Bayern Munich perfectly in line with his high-level Olympic tournament, he did not really shine during his first three selections with the Blues after diving into the Clairefontaine swimming pool without having had time to wet the back of his neck.
Bayern at his feet
Remember that at the age of 22, Michael Olise was still little known in French football just a year ago. Born in London in 2001 to a Nigerian father and a Franco-Algerian mother, then spent time in England (Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City) during his training before discovering the professional world (Reading and Crystal Palace, 2021- 2024), the twirling winger revealed himself to the French public during the Olympic Games: in a central role behind the striker, Michael Olise was in fact the spearhead of Thierry Henry’s Blues, silver medalists at home. Athletic and fast, but also an outstanding dribbler and passer, he finished the competition with 2 goals and 5 assists on the clock. While signing with Bayern Munich at the same time, for 60 million euros.
This is how in just one month, the status of Michael Olise has completely changed, going from the French crack known to Premier League lovers to the country’s new hope. Logically, Didier Deschamps selected him to face Italy and Belgium in September, even offering him a first start against the Blue team. Like others before him, the artist forged in the streets of London was, however, timid during his first two appearances with the Blues. Which was again the case against Israel, when Didier Deschamps gave him the keys to the French truck by positioning him in support of center forward Randal Kolo Muani. Replaced at the break in the right lane, Michael Olise did not put his head back in the right direction, signing a poor performance (8 missed passes and none leading to a shot, 1 successful dribble out of 6 attempted), far from his new standards at Bayern (6 goals and 3 assists, in 9 matches).
Deschamps in his hand
A young prospect who doesn’t shine during his debut with the Blues is nothing new or dramatic. Especially since it’s not as if Didier Deschamps and his troops had made things easier for him, far from it. Usually so quick to master the story around his group, La Dèche was well placed by allowing the idea to establish that Michael Olise would single-handedly fill the immense void left by the surprise retirement of Antoine Griezmann. Certainly, the Bavarian has the qualities to impose himself in this position. But from there to giving him the keys to the truck from his third selection, at only 22 years old? Didier Deschamps’ clumsiness could have ended there, except that the Basque drove the point home after the match in a press conference: « Michael obviously didn’t have his best match, he had a lot of technical waste. With his left paw and his technique, he is capable of doing better. » As with William Saliba or Dayot Upamecano before, the coach missed an opportunity to protect a young player. What he tried to catch up with next: “Michael has a lot of qualities and steps to take. He didn’t have his best game in terms of technical accuracy, he knows that well. It’s new for him too, the demands are high, even if he’s doing good things at Bayern. But we can’t compare him to Grizou with everything he did, even if he was more or less in the same position. He is generous, but he is capable of greater technical accuracy. »
Beyond his communication, Didier Deschamps especially failed tactically by giving too much responsibility too quickly to his young talent. The opposite of what Vincent Kompany did at Bayern, by keeping his jewel warm on the right wing. “He really plays a big role, which is not easy when you arrive in the Bundesliga and at a club like Bayern. He will take other steps”thus appreciated the Belgian in front of the media, after six meetings under his new colors. The management of the emergence of this rising star is symptomatic of the tactical errors of recent months, in the French team: a group full of talents, but where the virtuosos find it difficult to express their creativity. In the absence of Antoine Griezmann, Didier Deschamps will have to tune his violins for the Blues to find harmony again. With his sense of passing, his quality on set pieces and his left paw or his speed, Michael Olise has all the qualities on paper to become one of the strong men of the Blues. But before that, it is necessary to facilitate an adaptation that is never easy. Especially when, in people’s minds, we have to take the place of a legend.
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