Language barrier causing problems for Michael Olise and Didier Deschamps
Michael Olise isn’t much of a talker, especially in French. The Bayern Munich winger is becoming an increasingly important figure with Les Bleus, but will need to improve his language skills, according to a report from L’Equipe. Olise and Deschamps haven’t been able to get too closeAFP The Hammersmith-born wideman is apparently being targeted by manager Didier Deschamps as one player he wants to get closer to ahead of the 2026 World Cup, via Get French Football News. However, his lack of French is so far proving prohibitive. Olise was born in London to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, and never hid his desire to play for them, having represented the nation all the way up from Under-18 level. Having played in the academies of Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, Olise broke through at Crystal Palace before a £51million move to Bayern Munich. He’s since shone with the Bundesliga leaders, but already showed his love for France before playing in Bavaria. The 23-year-old featured at France’s home summer Olympics when numerous players rejected a call-up from Theirry Henry, or they were blocked by their clubs. Olise, though, scored two goals and recorded five assists on the way to a final defeat against Spain. He did try out some French during press conferences, but has never been much of a public speaker anyway, as showcased by some iconic blunt interviews while playing for Palace. Olise has now made five appearances for Deschamp’s senior squad, having always dreamed of it since childhood. Discussing the attacker’s passion during the Olympics, Henry said: “That desire to want to play for France…I got goosebumps when I talked to him about it. Olise has spoken French in front of cameras, but he’s seemingly not yet fluent View Tweet: https://twitter.com/hashtag/Interview?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw “When he showed us that desire, we were in a period where we had a lot of uncertainty [players rejecting selection]. “But he preferred to play for France rather than England. Why? Because it’s his dream and when someone has a dream, you can put anything you like in their way, they’re still going to make it come true.” Reflecting on his time with Henry, Olise said: “The Olympics were the best football experience of my life. “It was fantastic, especially in France. We did a lot of preparatory work leading up to the competition, and the team was able to come together and move forward together. “We were close. Traveling around the country, I felt a fervor, the power of being at home. “From the start, we told ourselves we had to do something solid. Everyone gave their all in every match. “I don’t know if I was very well known in France before that. I had only played with the youth teams, but I think the Games allowed people to get to know me.” L’Equipe claim that Olise will start for France tonight, coming in for Juventus’ Randal Kolo-Muani as Les Bleus look to overturn a 2-0 defeat to Croatia in the Nations League.
Michael Olise isn’t much of a talker, especially in French.
The Bayern Munich winger is becoming an increasingly important figure with Les Bleus, but will need to improve his language skills, according to a report from L’Equipe.
The Hammersmith-born wideman is apparently being targeted by manager Didier Deschamps as one player he wants to get closer to ahead of the 2026 World Cup, via Get French Football News.
However, his lack of French is so far proving prohibitive.
Olise was born in London to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, and never hid his desire to play for them, having represented the nation all the way up from Under-18 level.
Having played in the academies of Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, Olise broke through at Crystal Palace before a £51million move to Bayern Munich.
He’s since shone with the Bundesliga leaders, but already showed his love for France before playing in Bavaria.
The 23-year-old featured at France’s home summer Olympics when numerous players rejected a call-up from Theirry Henry, or they were blocked by their clubs.
Olise, though, scored two goals and recorded five assists on the way to a final defeat against Spain.
He did try out some French during press conferences, but has never been much of a public speaker anyway, as showcased by some iconic blunt interviews while playing for Palace.
Olise has now made five appearances for Deschamp’s senior squad, having always dreamed of it since childhood.
Discussing the attacker’s passion during the Olympics, Henry said: “That desire to want to play for France…I got goosebumps when I talked to him about it.
“When he showed us that desire, we were in a period where we had a lot of uncertainty [players rejecting selection].
“But he preferred to play for France rather than England. Why? Because it’s his dream and when someone has a dream, you can put anything you like in their way, they’re still going to make it come true.”
Reflecting on his time with Henry, Olise said: “The Olympics were the best football experience of my life.
“It was fantastic, especially in France. We did a lot of preparatory work leading up to the competition, and the team was able to come together and move forward together.
“We were close. Traveling around the country, I felt a fervor, the power of being at home.
“From the start, we told ourselves we had to do something solid. Everyone gave their all in every match.
“I don’t know if I was very well known in France before that. I had only played with the youth teams, but I think the Games allowed people to get to know me.”
L’Equipe claim that Olise will start for France tonight, coming in for Juventus’ Randal Kolo-Muani as Les Bleus look to overturn a 2-0 defeat to Croatia in the Nations League.
