Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has expressed his desire to see 21-year-old Michael Olise stay at the club. However, with interest for the young prodigy pouring in from bigger clubs, the Palace coach has acknowledged that a decision on the player’s future is ultimately Olise’s to make.
Crystal Palace Keen to Keep Star Michael Olise
Hodgson on Chelsea/City interested in Olise: “No one knows at this moment. If there are clubs desperately/seriously preparing a bid and tempting him then he'll decide”, told Sky 🔴🔵⭐️
“I can only wait and see what decision is he will make, he knows we want to keep him” pic.twitter.com/WQzx70bMgH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2023
Two English Giants Circling Crystal Palace Star
The young midfielder has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester City in recent weeks and is considering his options before the close of the summer transfer window. Both of his potential suitors possess an elite pedigree and have won a Champions League trophy in very recent history. They also have the resources necessary to force his South London club to let him go as the Frenchman’s release clause is set at a modest £35 million.
Pep Guardiola’s imperious treble-winners are in particular need of a right winger since selling Riyadh Mahrez to Al-Ahli earlier this summer. Olise could fill the gap left behind by the Algerian maestro and help City defend their silverware in the upcoming season.
Read More: ‘Deal Agreed’: Crystal Palace Set to Secure £25m ‘Wonderkid’ in Shock Deal
Crystal Palace Want to Keep Olise
The young winger featured in all but one of Palace’s league games last season and his performances made him an integral part of Hodgson’s lineup. He represents the France U21 team at the international level but a move to City or Chelsea could be a major boost to his hopes of representing the senior French side.
If Palace’s starboy were to leave, his presence out wide would be sorely missed as it would leave them far blunter on the counter-attack than last season. The Frenchman has been praised for his “unbelievable” abilities by former Eagles striker Ian Wright and he produced two goals and 11 assists in the league last season.
Despite an incredibly tough start under former boss Patrick Vieira, Roy Hodgson led his Crystal Palace side to an 11th-placed finish in their 2022/23 Premier League campaign. However, with the prospect of losing their starlet winger, the former England manager will know that he may face an uphill battle to repeat such a finish.
Main Image Credit: Rockybiggs, CC BY-SA 4.0
