Is Olise ready for Arsenal or Chelsea move?
James Shearman
- Updated: 23 Feb 2022 15:36 GMT
- 3 min read
Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise.
Olise has been one of Palace's key players this season in their transition to a more attacking style of football under head coach Patrick Vieira.
The 20-year-old only arrived from Championship side Reading last summer, on the back of a an excellent campaign - 19 goal contributions in 37 league starts.
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And, having often made an impact coming on as a substitute, he has since earned a place in Vieira's starting lineup.
The Frenchman has two goals and four assists in the Premier League, but his underlying numbers are far more impressive.
Olise's expected goals assisted per 90 minutes is 0.32, the highest at the south London club.
In fact, that figure is almost twice Eagles icon Wilfred Zaha's 0.17 and over eight times more than Eberechi Eze (0.05) in his return from injury.
Newcastle are reportedly interested in signing Eze for a fee in the region of £40 million, meaning Olise could go for a fortune.
Olise to Arsenal or Chelsea?
Arsenal are looking to add to their young core of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard.
The trio have brought life to the Emirates Stadium, as Mikel Arteta's team is starting to take shape.
The Gunners have also cleared out a lot of excess members of the squad.
So, Olise would fit the club's vision of focusing on the promising talent that could guide them back into title contention in years to come.
Michael Olise is different man, this guy is the best player to ever put on the Palace shirt. 19 years old.
— Matchday365 (@Matchday365) February 19, 2022
However, Chelsea need a couple of world-class players to add to their already excellent squad, in order to catch up to Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League.
Thomas Tuchel is clearly unhappy with many of the attacking talents at Stamford Bridge, with recent links to the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha, as well as Olise.
Indeed, footballtransfers reported yesterday that the Blues are favourites to sign the Leeds United star, ahead of Barcelona.
READ MORE: CHELSEA LEAD BARCELONA IN SUMMER TRANSFER RACE FOR RAPHINHA
Raphinha makes more sense for Chelsea, as a player that has excelled in consecutive seasons in the Premier League. The Brazilian has registered 26 goal contributions in little over 18 months.
And, at 26 years of age, Raphinha would be able to improve Chelsea immediately, whereas Olise could take time to settle in.
Add to that, the Blues are already undergoing long-term projects in the form of Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Olise is perfectly suited to Arsenal, but a move to Chelsea this summer could be too soon.
Read more about: Premier League, Arsenal, C. Palace, Chelsea, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Michael Olise, Raphinha
