Six interesting things you did not know about Chelsea target Michael Olise.

 Michael Olise has been the subject of Chelsea's recent transfer links, and it appears the Blues have serious interest in the Winger.

Born in December 2001, the 22-year old currently plays for Crystal Palace after completing a move from Reading in 2021. However,  should Chelsea acquire his signature,  the winger could be moving to West London anytime soon.

SIX INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MICHAEL OLISE YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW: 

1. Of Nigerian descent: 

Michael Olise (middle), Mother (left), Father (right).

Michael Olise is born to a Nigerian Father Vincent Olise, and a French-Algerian mother. Olise's fullname is Michael Akpovie Olise, with the name "Akpovie" common to mainly the South-South people of Nigeria. 

2. Olise is eligible to represent four different countries:

Olise is eligible to play for  France, Algeria, England and Nigeria due to his mixed background. He can represent France and Algeria due to his mother’s heritage, while he can represent Nigeria through his father’s heritage. The choice of England is made possible because it is his place of birth.

However, he has represented France at the youth level, making his debut for the under 18 in 2019 and for the under 21 in 2022. In 2021, he was named as a standby in the squad for Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho.

3. Olise has a younger sibling who is also a soccer player:

Michael has a younger brother, Richard Olise, who was born on September 9, 2004, making him 19 years old as of June 2024. Richard joined Chelsea as an Under-9, and has represented  England at the youth level.  

Richard Olise. 

A right-back by trade, he played for England's U18s in a friendly against Wales in September 2021, but he is also eligible for four countries.

4. Olise once played for Chelsea,  Manchester City and Arsenal:

Being born in London meant Olise had to get his soccer education in England’s capital city. His journey began at Arsenal’s Hale End academy, but it was not long before Chelsea’s scouts noticed him, and he took him off the Gunners.

After seven years at Chelsea’s academy, Olise left at the age of 14 to join Manchester City’s academy, where he spent just one year. 

5. Olise was laid-back as a kid:

There have been several reports on Olise’s laid-back attitude, which is reflected in his style of play and goal celebrations. The winger has always been laid-back since childhood, and he hardly spoke, but his love for street soccer helped him to open up. 

Can you spot Olise here? 🧐

When he was six years old, his father enrolled him in a local grassroots team, Hayes FC, and this helped him communicate more while receiving the necessary training.

6. Olise has a networth of £9 million:

Though he is yet to secure a move to a top Premier League side, Olise earns quite well at Crystal Palace, where he signed a contract extension worth £100,000 weekly and £5,200,000 yearly in August 2023. 

The winger signed his first professional contract at Reading in 2019 and was earning decently well. All of these earnings have contributed to his net worth, which will continue to rise as his career advances.

Olise with his Parents. 

Olise also has a release clause in his contract.

In England, including a release clause in contracts is not common. However, Olise’s contract with Palace has always had a release clause. It was £35 million when he signed for the Eagles in 2021, but it increased to £60 million after he signed a new contract in 2023.

Clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, and PSG have all shown interest in the winger and will have to convince him to join after paying the release clause.

• Culled, Edited and summarized from Pulse Sports.