Michael Olise has disclosed that his preferred position lies in the centre of the pitch, even though the Bayern Munich attacker currently operates primarily from the right flank. The 24-year-old, who represents France at international level, explained that the number 10 role offers him greater freedom and aligns with his childhood development in the game.
Speaking to L’Équipe, Olise stated that the central attacking position feels more instinctive to him than his current deployment. He described the role as offering more liberty on the ball, tracing this preference back to his formative years. The forward acknowledged that tactical necessities currently place him on the wing, yet maintains that the central berth remains his most natural habitat despite his recent performances in wide areas.
Creative Foundations
The France international also traced his creative instincts to informal games played with his brother during childhood. Olise attributed his technical approach to street football sessions involving one-on-one challenges and repeated practice against walls, emphasising that these unstructured environments fostered his love for the sport. He noted that this background cultivated a sense of freedom rather than rigid tactical instruction, shaping the playmaking abilities he now displays at the highest level.
Tactical Flexibility
Olise’s comments offer insight into his tactical thinking as he continues to feature for both Bayern and the French national team. While he currently provides width and creativity from the flank, his stated preference for a central role suggests potential for future positional flexibility. Managers at both club and international level may yet deploy him in a more advanced central position to capitalise on the instincts he honed during his early years.