Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise Signs New Contract, Rejects Chelsea Interest
Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise has signed a new four-year contract with the club, despite strong interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea. The 21-year-old France Under-21 international has decided to stay at Selhurst Park, much to the delight of manager Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson expressed his relief at Olise’s decision, stating that it was the best possible news for the club. He admitted that the interest from Chelsea was a concern, as it suggested that a move to the London club might be the best option for Olise’s career. However, Hodgson has always hoped that Olise would choose to stay at Palace.
The manager believes that Olise’s future at Palace is very bright and that the club can help him progress and develop to another level. He commended chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman for their efforts in persuading Olise to stay despite the pressure from outside.
Chelsea had been expected to sign Olise after triggering a release clause in his contract, which would have guaranteed Palace a £35 million fee. However, Olise’s recent hamstring injury suffered at the Under-21 European Championship may have played a role in his decision to stay. The injury could keep him sidelined until the end of September.
Hodgson acknowledged that it was a nasty injury but expressed confidence in Olise’s ability to recover quickly. He compared the injury to one suffered by Wilfried Zaha, who has recently returned to action with Galatasaray. Hodgson believes that Olise’s fitness and hard work will help him have a shorter recovery time.
Olise joined Palace from Reading in 2021 on a five-year deal after Palace triggered a release clause in his contract. Since then, he has established himself as an important player for Hodgson’s side and had an outstanding season in 2022-23. He won the player’s player of the season and the club’s goal of the season awards.
Olise’s contributions to the team were remarkable, as he became the first Palace player ever to achieve 10 or more assists in a Premier League campaign. He also became the youngest-ever player to claim three assists from open play in a single Premier League match. His 11 assists ranked him fourth in the division.
Olise’s importance to Palace cannot be overstated, and Chelsea has missed out on a promising talent. Over the past year, Olise has shown significant development, becoming more defensively capable and influential in attack. He is a confident winger who excels at drawing defenders in before making a quick move down the touchline or cutting inside on his left foot.
His decision-making has also improved, as he has learned when to cross or take a shot himself. However, there is still room for further improvement in his game. Olise’s departure would have left a considerable gap in Palace’s squad, and retaining his services is a significant coup for the club.
Olise’s attacking talent is unmatched in the Palace squad, and no other player offers a similar style of play. His decision to stay will provide a major boost to Palace’s attack and hinder Chelsea’s efforts to strengthen their own attacking options.
In conclusion, Michael Olise’s decision to sign a new contract with Crystal Palace is a significant victory for the club. Despite interest from Chelsea, Olise has chosen to continue his development at Selhurst Park. His importance to Palace cannot be overstated, and his decision will have a major impact on both clubs’ fortunes in the upcoming season.