The Sky Bet Championship has become an incredible hub for talented and exciting young footballers potentially looking to make their mark amongst the elite in the Premier League and around Europe. We’ve already seen a few players blossom in the England’s second-division and go onto make their name within the country’s flagship competition that is the Barclays Premier League.
Players like Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Said Benrahma, Eberechi Eze, Dan James, Andy Robertson, Harry Maguire, Jude Bellingham and a few other noticeable names have been propelled to universal stardom as a result of their time in the division. Currently, the Championship is still birthing some more sparkling wonderkids; Emi Buendia, David Brooks, Todd Cantwell, Ismaila Sarr, Max Aarons, players who have had a taste of the Barclays Premier League but still feel another year in the second division will certainly aid their development and push them in order to thrive amongst the elite in future.
There’s a few more still but one player currently regarded as the most exciting of the bunch, currently undergoing a remarkable breakthrough campaign in the Championship as one of the hottest prospects in the division is Reading’s 19-year-old wonderkid Michael Olise.
Seven goals and 10 assists so far this campaign is an incredible return for a player currently lauded one of the best teenagers in the country and with a EA Sports Young Player of The Season to boot at the EA awards to boot the 19-year-old is well on his way to national stardom. Olise has been a revelation and a key cog in Reading’s push for automatic promotion from the Championship as they sit in fourth place, a few points off Swansea in second.
Michael Olise is certainly one to watch for the now and in the future, a player blessed with such incredible flair, vision and an understanding that even the most experienced individuals in the game would kill for. But how has Olise got to this position, what’s his role in the Reading team and what could he offer potential suitors in the future?
Who is Michael Olise?
Michael Olise is born of Nigerian, Algerian and French descent through his father and mother respectively. The midfielder grew up in Hammersmith, London, and joined Chelsea’s youth academy until he was released followed by a short and unsuccessful spell in Manchester City’s youth ranks in before joining Reading in July 2015.
Olise made his Royals under-18s debut in January 2018 and his first team debut 14 months later in March 2019 at home to Leeds in the Championship aged just 17. Ever since then, Olise hasn’t looked back, appearing 19 games for Reading (13 starts) last season under previous boss Mark Bowen. This season under Veljko Paunovic, Olise has begun to reach new heights under the Serbian stewardship, even going on to dub the infamous number 7 shirt for the club.
He’s that good.
In July 2019, he signed his professional contract with Reading, scoring his first league goal for the club against in September, volleying home in the 76th minute against Barnsley at the Madejski Stadium. A few months later, the midfielder has proven a pivotal part of Reading’s rise so far this season, making him one of the country’s most exciting and prestigious young talents.
Michael Olise has gone on to make two appearances for the French under-18s, his first cap coming in the Under-18 Toulon tournament. However, Olise is still eligible to represent England and Nigeria at international level and is sure to be at the centre of a war between these three nations as to who he represents in the future.
One things for sure though, this is a player primed for international stardom, not just in the UK.
What is Olise’s role at Reading? What’s his style of play?
Michael Olise has rapidly become Reading’s showstopper over the past year, the main event in a team that has grown considerably under the tutelage of Serbian coach Veljko Paunovic.
The French under-18 international is an incredibly versatile footballer. Under Paunovic, he’s been utilised in a variety of roles in attack; on the left-wing, right-wing, centre-midfield and at no.10 and you needn’t ask why he’s been asked to fulfil such roles.
Olise is the main creative hub of this Reading side, and its shown in his 10 assists so far this campaign. An incredible player to watch, one whose abilities has made him a joy to behold on so many occasions this season but one which has also has seen him take up some key responsibilities in the team even at the age of just 19.
This is a talent with incredible ball-carrying skills, blessed with such unique artistry, wonderful technique, sumptuous vision and an understanding of the game that has elevated him to groundbreaking heights so far this campaign.
Olise is simply outstanding with the ball at his feet, when he has it, something special happens, whether its through a elegant dribble past his marker, a progressive run to build an attack or a devastating eye of the needle pass for his forwards, he is a master of the creative arts. Ten assists, 1.6 key passes and 1.1 dribbles, he is amongst the best in the division for progressive and smart passes.
He was named the Sky Bet Championshipโs young player of the month for December and deservedly so, recording two goals and two assists. What stands out in Olise’s game is his incredible knack of picking the right passes at the right moments but also his understanding of where to position himself in order to become an influential figure in an attacking move.
Olise is always scanning his surroundings, finding space between the lines, painting a picture in his head before receiving the ball; all traits of a seasoned creator. He’d make established stars such as Kevin De Bruyne or Bruno Fernandes take notice.
Every single time Reading look to build an attack, they look for him. He’s the creative hub, the orchestrator. His goal against QPR at Loftus Road for example, was something special. Picking up the ball on the right-wing, he forces a lovely interchange with his teammate, setting himself with a first touch before curling a left-footed beauty into the net.
Olise possesses a wand of a left foot, a first touch to die for and a dribbling ability that leaves even the best defenders bamboozled. He doesn’t mind receiving the ball in tight areas or when surrounded with two or three players, he always finds a way to overcome it with such devastating ease and deceptive movement.
He is a player full of highlight reels. He’s attempted 104 dribbles at the time of writing, and completed 71 of them so far this season. Oliseโs had a hand in 35% of Reading’s goal so far this season, a staggering statistic, truly representing his stark influence in this Reading team.
A real creative spark, Olise creates chances in a variety of ways. Prolific from set-pieces due to his excellent left foot, a threat from wide areas, a smart mover off the ball behind the striker and also capable of some intricate and neat through balls.
If this report doesn’t satisfy your new knowledge, go and watch him live. It would certainly be worth it.
An incredible young talent.
What does the future hold for Michael Olise?
It’s extraordinary to find that there is a supposed release clause in Michael Olise’s current contract of just ยฃ8million. For such a small sum money Reading will certainly be bombarded with a whole host of calls from potential suitors for Olise’s services. It is looking increasingly likely the 19-year-old will leave the Madejski Stadium at the end of the season, if even Reading do secure promotion to the Premier League.
Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Arsenal have all been reported to hold an interest in the player and while it will be incredibly vital for Olise to keep his feet firmly grounded especially because of his tender age. However, there can be no doubting of Olise’s abilities to make it at the top level in the near future.
He holds the stature, the mentality and the abilities to thrive amongst the elite for years to come. Though, his next club will certainly have to be the move for his development and to further his learning. He simply cannot afford to join a club that will not give him the environment to play football and gain some valuable experience. For a player his age, they need to be playing football and Olise is simply too good to be warming benches.
What a talent we have on our hands. Michael Olise deserves your attention.
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