Michael Olise shines for France on the right or as No 10 | OneFootball

Michael Olise looks equally at home on the right or as a No 10 for France. Training in scorching Boston, the Bayern Munich forward still prefers calf-length tracksuit bottoms to shorts. L'Équipe notes that Didier Deschamps has tried him wide and centrally, echoing Thierry Henry’s use of him at the 2024 Olympics.

From the right at Bayern he produced 22 goals and 29 assists. Analyst Patrick Guillou points to an instinctive understanding with Harry Kane that shapes his game, something he feels has not yet formed with Kylian Mbappé or Ousmane Dembélé, though it could with Mbappé if they combine more.

Guillou argues that a central role would grant Olise greater freedom, free from the touchline and with more time on the ball. On the flank, however, he more often finds the one against one duels he relishes, and overlapping full-backs can turn those into two against one situations.

Against Brazil, a 2-1 win on 26 March, Olise hinted at the No 10 brief, creating a goal for Hugo Ekitike. Dembélé, initially right sided but allowed to roam, at times occupied the same spaces, an issue that arises less when Olise starts wide and the Parisian operates through the middle.

For France he has seven goals and two assists in 17 caps, a strong return even if not Bayern-level. He still cuts inside to shoot or thread the final pass, yet there can be central congestion with Mbappé, Dembélé and Doué, whereas at Bayern someone typically opens lanes. With more time together in World Cup preparation, understanding and rotations should sharpen and the Bleus could profit.

Source: L'Équipe