Michael Olise’s international future remains uncertain, despite strong indications of his preference for France.
The 22-year-old Crystal Palace winger, who has represented France at youth levels, is currently part of the French Olympic squad for the Paris 2024 Games.
Thierry Henry claims Olise prefers France to available international options – Getty image
However, he is also eligible to play for England, Nigeria, and Algeria, according to GFFN.
Olise, born on December 12, 2001, in Hammersmith, London, England, is the first of two sons born to Olise (sr) and his wife.
Despite his multiple eligibility, Thierry Henry, manager of France’s Olympic squad, emphasized Olise’s strong inclination towards representing France.
“We know that he has plenty of possibilities, but he wants to play for France,” Henry stated in a recent press conference.
“You have to highlight his desire to show that he wants to play for L’Équipe de France. If he was English, he would have already left to play for England.”
England manager Gareth Southgate has shown interest in Olise but did not select him for the current Euros squad.
Similarly, Didier Deschamps did not include him in the French squad for the tournament, leaving Olise free to choose between all four nations.
Despite the open options, Henry believes Olise’s decision is primarily between France and England.
Meanwhile, Olise has also been linked with a potential move from the Premier League to German Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich this summer, following a failed deal with Chelsea.