Michael Olise has enjoyed a remarkable beginning at Bayern Munich, prompting sporting director Max Eberl to liken him to two of the greatest forwards to ever play at the Allianz Arena.
“Michael is a player who, similar to a young (Franck) Ribery or a young (Arjen) Robben, has the potential for greatness,” Eberl recently expressed with enthusiasm.
For a player who was competing in the Football League with Reading just under four years ago, his ascent to becoming one of Europe’s most promising young talents seems quite plausible.
“His passion for football has always been evident,” recalled Scott Marshall, who coached him at under-23 level at Reading, while speaking to The Athletic in 2021.
“When given responsibility, he flourishes. His skill with the ball is exceptional; he manages it well, manipulating it and finding spaces high on the pitch.”
As Bayern Munich faced a challenging away match against Eintracht Frankfurt, needing to bounce back from a disappointing Champions League loss to Aston Villa, Olise seized the opportunity, scoring a beautifully crafted goal.
The 23-year-old was ideally positioned on the edge of the penalty box to receive Harry Kane’s backpass, effortlessly evading a defender’s challenge.
With the Frankfurt defense in disarray, Olise opened his body to curl an unopposable shot past Kaua Santos, paying homage to Robben’s iconic style.
Although Bayern allowed a late equalizer at the Waldstadion, Olise had already showcased his striking resemblance to a club legend.
Michael Olise scores his fourth Bundesliga goal for Bayern 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SpYVUPC0Qq
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 6, 2024
“From the first moment you saw him, his special talent stood out,” former Reading teammate Tom McIntyre shared with The Athletic.
“He is incredibly comfortable with the ball. His confidence distinguishes him from other good players I’ve played with. He always wanted to get the ball even in tight spaces.”
Olise’s undeniable talent didn’t go unnoticed, but his famously reserved demeanor surprised some as he settled in Germany.
With young stars often scrutinized for their ability to handle the pressure, new arrivals at elite clubs like Bayern Munich frequently face doubts. Regardless of their skill, the weight of expectations can sometimes change the most self-assured personalities.
This led to raised eyebrows when Olise’s initial appearance at Bayern in August revealed his quiet nature—he could barely muster two sentences.
When questioned about whether he preferred scoring or assisting, the former Palace star simply shook his head, offered a polite smile, and replied, “Whatever… Both.”
Regarding the differences between the Premier League and Bundesliga, he could only say, “I think, probably it will be a bit different but, I don’t know…”
“Some people don’t fully grasp how he truly is,” McIntyre noted. “He’ll greet you in the morning with a somewhat weak handshake. Sometimes he might ignore you altogether. He’s not a bad individual, though — once you engage him, he’s genuinely a nice guy. His academy coaches sometimes found his demeanor challenging.”
Olise has seamlessly transitioned from Selhurst Park to the Allianz Arena, showing a preference for letting his on-pitch skills speak for him rather than making public waves.
Initially, Eberl’s comparisons may have seemed overly ambitious, but they are rapidly proving to be insightful.
Image Source: Michael Olise @ Instagram
