- Michael Olise joined Bayern Munich for £52million at the end of last season
- He shone for Thierry Henry’s France U21 at the Olympics with five assists
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England’s increasingly tenuous hopes of securing Michael Olise’s international loyalty appear to have finally been dashed, with reports suggesting the French youth international is in line for a first-team call-up.
Olise was eligible to play for both England and France, as well as Nigeria and Algeria. She was born in White City, west London, to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother. Both rival nations have approached her.
Olise was called up to both the French under-18 and under-21 youth teams and played a key role in Thierry Henry’s Olympic line-up at the Paris Olympics last summer.
According to reports, Didier Deschamps is now seriously considering bringing him into the first team.
Olise shone for Crystal Palace last season and his exploits earned him a pricey transfer to German giants Bayern Munich, signing for Vincent Kompany’s side for £52 million.
Michael Olise is reportedly in line for a first call-up to the France squad
Didier Deschamps is believed to be seriously considering including Olise in his future squad
During the Olympic Games, Olise scored twice and provided five more assists for Henry’s Les Bluetes.
France will face Italy and Belgium in the upcoming international period in September. Deschamps’ squad is expected to be announced on August 29.
Olise is among a group of players who could be called up in surprise fashion, although there is a strong argument that the only reason he has not yet played his first international match is the ridiculous depth of the France squad.
Deschamps can already call on Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram, Randal Kolo Muani, Antoine Griezmann and Bradley Barcola in the attacking positions. Most of them can play in the front.
However, Olise has tested himself after scoring 10 goals and providing six assists in the Premier League for Palace last season before moving to the Bundesliga club.
France reached the final, but eventually lost in a dramatic final to Spain, which won 5-3 after scoring twice in injury time.
Olise was part of the French team that finished second at the Olympic Games, scoring twice and providing five assists.
The 22-year-old joined Bayern Munich for £52million after an impressive season at Crystal Palace
Olise is also eligible to play for England after being born in London to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother
The home side took the lead after eleven minutes through Enzo Millot, but Spain led 3-1 just before half-time thanks to two goals from Fermin Lopez and another from Alex Baene.
France managed to equalize just before the end of the match thanks to a penalty kick from Jean-Phillipe Mateta. However, in extra time La Roja managed to score twice more to secure the gold medal.