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Analysis
- 3 hours ago
Why London-born Michael Olise doesn't play for England
29 Apr 2026 09:30 CDT |
5 min read
News
England have an impressive roster of wingers and attacking midfielders, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen in the ranks for head coach Thomas Tuchel.
However, if things worked out differently, they might have had one of the very best in the world in the team down the right-hand side.
Michael Olise was born in Hammersmith, Greater London, on 12 December 2001 to a British-Nigerian father and Franco-Algerian mother.
His ancestry meant he was eligible to play for France, England, Nigeria and Algeria.
"I actually come from four countries: France, Algeria, Nigeria and England," he once told Bayern Munich magazine, 51.
"I consider myself very lucky to possess these four parts, which all enrich me. I feel each individual part in me, I've developed attachments in all my countries."
Not a lot of people know that Olise actually spend time in the academies of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City as a young man.
It would be at Reading where he would receive his first taste of senior football and in July of 2021 he signed for Crystal Palace for around £8.37 million.
He would go on to form an exciting partnership with Eberechi Eze as the pair lit up Selhurst Park during their time together, but both were destined for bigger clubs.
Despite numerous suitors in the Premier League, Olise dreamed big and signed for Bayern Munich for around £55 million.
What a bargain that has turned out to be as he has been sublime since moving to the Allianz Arena. In hs first campaign, including the Club World Cup in the summer of 2025, he made 55 appearances, scoring 20 goals and recording 23 assists.
In 2025/26, he has already beat that tally and the German domestic season hasn't even finished, with 20 goals scored and a whopping 29 goals assisted in 47 appearances.
In both of his first seasons, he has helped Bayern to Bundesliga glory.
The Champions League is the holy grail, of course, and the German giants need to overcome a one-goal deficit after their thrilling semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain finished 5-4 on Tuesday.
His talent once again shone on the biggest stage as he scored with a blistering strike from the edge of the box and gave one of the best and most athletic full-backs on the planet, Nuno Mendes, a torrid time.
Liverpool have been linked with a huge bid for the France international in the summer, but Bayern have no intention of selling - even if the Reds offer a world record bid.
So, it seems like both Liverpool and England fans will watch on with jealousy as Olise continues to flourish for both Bayern and France.
But, why did he select France instead of England, Nigeria, or Algeria? The answer is quite simple - an affinity for the blue, white and red.
Upon being called up to Les Bleus' senior squad for the first time, he was asked the question and responded:
"I have always had a connection with the France national team, that is why I play for France. "It's been my dream since I was a kid."
Olise has had to fight for minutes with France due to the presence of some of the biggest names around like Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola and Balon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele but he has played himself into the first team and is likely to be one of Didier Deschamps' key players at the 2026 World Cup.
Michael Olise to Liverpool: Bundesliga expert gives his verdict
Bundesliga expert Ronan Murphy says there is no chance of Olise leaving Bayern for Liverpool at this point in his career.
“Every player in the world has a price. That's what the Estimated Transfer Value is after all. Michael Olise has been one of the most valuable players in the world for all of 2026 and if he keeps playing like this, he might become number one, overtaking Lamine Yamal. But just because he has an Estimated Transfer Value doesn't mean that Bayern Munich would accept that amount or any amount for him.
“He's being linked with Liverpool because they want to replace Mohamed Salah with the best winger in the world. But the connection is ridiculous. Why would he leave a team on the cusp of another historic treble for one in transition, in turmoil, who don't even have full faith in their head coach?
“Jermaine Pennant’s suggestion [that Liverpool break the bank to sign Olise] is because there's a narrative that the Premier League is better. Maybe if you're in a team competing for the title and contesting in the latter stages of the Champions League. But Olise already has that. And now he has legitimate Ballon d’Or candidacy too.
“So what can Liverpool offer on the field that Bayern can't? Nothing. What can they offer off the field? A lot of money.
“But how much would Bayern be willing to sell for? €223m to make him the most expensive player ever? €700m? One billion? There's no price Uli Hoeness and Bayern Munich would accept for Olise. This is a team who are among the most business savvy in the world, having made a profit in each of the last 32 seasons. They're as good at making money as they are at winning the Bundesliga. The challenge for them is the Champions League and they aren't selling Olise because of that.
“Maybe put in a bid for Serge Gnabry instead, Richard Hughes, they might sell you him.”
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