Bayern’s New Star: Michael Olise Shining Bright in Bavaria
The summer of 2023 saw Bayern Munich secure a surprising but game-changing transfer. Michael Olise, formerly of Crystal Palace, made his move to the German giants after initially being courted by Premier League powerhouses like Chelsea and Manchester United. His signing was met with scepticism by the Bavarian fanbase, report The Mirror, as many weren’t familiar with the Frenchman before he put pen to paper on a long-term deal. But just a few months into the season, Olise has transformed from an unknown quantity into one of Bayern’s standout performers.
Olise’s Impact at Bayern
Since his arrival, Olise has been nothing short of electrifying, netting five goals and providing two assists in just a week, including a brilliant brace in his Champions League debut against Dinamo Zagreb. His lightning-fast integration into Vincent Kompany’s side has even kept Leroy Sane out of the starting XI, a testament to the Frenchman’s skill and determination. This performance surge has eased the pressure on Bayern’s contract negotiations with Sane, whose current deal expires next summer.
Vincent Kompany’s reliance on Olise demonstrates the trust placed in the young talent. With talks around Sane’s future still unresolved, Olise’s form may influence Bayern’s future squad dynamics. His blistering start to the season, coupled with his recent call-up to the French national team, has only bolstered his growing reputation. Thierry Henry’s influence during the Olympic Games also seems to have played a key role in shaping Olise’s development.
Kane’s Praise for Olise
Harry Kane, Bayern’s marquee signing of the summer, has already praised Olise’s contributions. “Michael’s ability on the ball is fantastic,” Kane said. “The way he moves, the way he goes around players – and his final product is at a high, high level. And he’s still very young, so there’s even more improvement to come.” Kane’s words reflect the harmony between the two players, which has quickly made Bayern’s attack one of the most feared in Europe.
A Dramatic Transfer Saga
Olise’s move to Bayern wasn’t without drama. Chelsea had activated his £35 million release clause in the summer of 2023, only for Olise to perform a dramatic U-turn, opting to sign a new contract with Crystal Palace instead. Palace even threatened legal action over Chelsea’s alleged tapping-up of the player. However, Bayern swooped in just a year later and made Olise one of the biggest transfers of the window, a decision that appears to have paid off handsomely for the Bundesliga giants.
As it stands, Michael Olise has emerged as one of the best players across Europe’s top five leagues this season, showing no signs of regret for choosing Munich over remaining in London.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From an excited fan’s perspective, Michael Olise’s success at Bayern Munich has been nothing short of remarkable. The French winger has adapted seamlessly to the demands of the Bundesliga, and his performances have left fans buzzing with anticipation for what’s to come. Bayern supporters, who may have initially been sceptical about the young winger’s ability to make an impact, are now fully on board with Olise’s rise to stardom.
His electric start to the season, especially his Champions League heroics, has sparked hopes that Bayern can make a deep run in Europe. Fans are especially thrilled by his chemistry with Harry Kane, a partnership that promises plenty of goals and excitement.
For Chelsea fans, however, Olise’s form is a bitter pill to swallow. After coming so close to signing him in 2023, watching him excel at Bayern must be disappointing, especially given the Blues’ struggles in recent seasons. With Olise thriving in Germany, there’s bound to be a sense of what might have been at Stamford Bridge.
Crystal Palace fans, meanwhile, can take solace in the fact that they developed one of Europe’s brightest young talents. Watching Olise shine on the biggest stages in Europe is a testament to the club’s ability to nurture top talent, even if they couldn’t keep hold of him.
