News Focus
- Michael Olise was born in West London and grew up playing cricket and chess
- The Bayern Munich star provided 26 assists last season
- He plays with freedom that contrasts with Didier Deschamps’s strict tactics
- French football has a history of choosing between beautiful play and winning results
- Olise could lead France’s attack at the 2026 World Cup
Michael Olise stands out as one of the most creative footballers in the world today. The attacking midfielder was born in White City, West London, and spent his childhood playing cricket and chess. Now he plays for Bayern Munich and the France national team.
Last season, the 22-year-old recorded 26 assists for his German club. His move to a central position changed France’s match against Senegal. The game shifted from a dull struggle to an impressive victory when Olise took control.
Olise first showed his confidence at Crystal Palace in the Premier League. At Bayern, this has grown into smooth, elegant play. He shines brightest in a France squad full of stars. Many fans believe he can lead the team to glory at the next World Cup. However, his style is unusual for this French side.
Coach Didier Deschamps demands strict tactical discipline. Most French players follow his system closely. Olise plays with joy and freedom instead. He has not fully accepted the rigid structure that Deschamps prefers. This difference highlights a major split in French football history.
In 1982, France became famous for the “carré magique” or magic square. This midfield included Michel Platini, Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse and Bernard Genghini. They played with style and flair. The team lost in the semi-finals to West Germany, but people remembered their beautiful football. This established “la gloire” – the idea that playing well matters more than winning.
France changed their approach in 1998. Coach Aimé Jacquet chose safety-first tactics. His squad included Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Youri Djorkaeff. They played careful, defensive football. France won the World Cup on home soil. The public discovered they preferred boring victories to heroic defeats.
Deschamps learned from Jacquet. For 12 years, he has managed teams full of attacking talent. Yet he forces them to play conservative football. France won the 2018 World Cup this way. But fans and critics grew tired of dull performances. At Euro 2024, France did not score a single goal from open play in the knockout stages.
Today, Olise represents a return to creative football. Ousmane Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or and Désiré Doué starred in the Champions League final. Kylian Mbappé remains a top scorer. Yet Olise brings the excitement. He carries the hope of restoring “la gloire” to French football. His freedom on the pitch challenges Deschamps to balance winning with beautiful play.