Chelsea join the list of suitors for Michael Olise—Good option?

Chelsea are reportedly among a few Premier League big-hitters interested in signing Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise.

The 22-year-old winger is one of the most exciting prospects in the Premier League having played a starring role for Crystal Palace since joining the club from Reading in 2021. Despite signing a long-term contract in September, the player’s new deal includes an unknown release clause that activates at the end of the campaign, which has further attracted the interest of many clubs.

According to Football Insider, Chelsea are closely monitoring Crystal Palace star Michael Olise through regular scouting missions as they assess him ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Blues were on the verge of signing Olise, 22, last summer when they activated a £35million release clause before he opted to stay at Selhurst Park and sign a lucrative long-term contract that runs until the summer of 2027. Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City also remain keen on the Frenchman, who has been a standout player in the Premier League since returning from a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for the first three months of the season.

Michael Olise to Chelsea—Good option?

Michael Olise has the potential to play for some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. The French youth international missed the first 11 games of the season due to a hamstring injury. He returned in November and has been exceptional since, scoring five goals and picking up an assist in seven Premier League starts despite Crystal Palace’s woeful form.

Thus, it is no surprise the 22-year-old attacker is a wanted man. A special talent, Olise would be quite the exciting signing for Chelsea if a deal with Palace can be struck. However, whilst the Frenchman would bring some magic back to Stamford Bridge, the winger doesn’t exactly fit the criteria for what the Blues are looking for either this month or in the summer.

Easily one of the most entertaining players in the English top flight, Olise would undoubtedly add spice and variety to Chelsea’s attacking ranks. Indeed, while Olise does bring assists and goals, Chelsea need a new striker who can be the main man for Mauricio Pochettino.

In Mykhaylo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke, the Blues have plenty of options out wide at Pochettino’s disposal. Chelsea have struggled to score goals this season, especially players like Nicolas Jackson, Mudryk and Madueke have been so inconsistent at Stamford Bridge.

There is definitely a need for some new attacking players at Chelsea, and Olise has already shown what he can do in the Premier League. However, the highly-rated French attacker simply doesn’t fit the profile the Blues should be looking at in the summer.