Despite World Cup elimination: Hummels praises Bayern star Olise – “One of the top 3 players in the world” | OneFootball

Michael Olise plays in different positions for FC Bayern and the French national team. For TV analyst Mats Hummels, however, this is not a contradiction—quite the opposite.

Michael Olise mostly played in attacking midfield for France at the World Cup, while Vincent Kompany primarily deploys him on the right wing at FC Bayern. For Mats Hummels, the 24-year-old is perfectly suited to both positions.

Ahead of the World Cup semifinal between France and Spain, the former national team player explained on MagentaTV why, in his opinion, Olise is by no means “wasted” on the wing in Munich.

Hummels Explains Bayern’s Plan for Olise

When asked by host Johannes B. Kerner whether Olise was failing to reach his full potential on the right wing at FC Bayern, Hummels strongly disagreed. “I don’t think so, in a system like the one Bayern plays.”

The former BVB pro referred to the German record champions’ style of play. “Ever since the era of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry, a lot of Bayern’s play has come down the wings. That’s where the players who initiate the play are positioned. That’s why he isn’t being wasted there—because he’s incredibly dominant in that role, given the way Bayern plays.”

With the French national team, however, the situation is different.

“That’s why it makes a lot of sense to put him in the number 10 position. Sometimes they switch things up a bit—Ousmane Dembélé and him. He’s also an absolutely perfect player in the number 10 position.”

“One of the best soccer players in the world”

Photo: Getty Images

The former center back’s praise was even more effusive when assessing Olise’s quality. “He’s one of the top three players at the World Cup, one of the top three players in the world.”

Regardless of his position, the Bayern star is now an absolute world-class player. “He’s shown that he’s one of the best soccer players in the world, both on the right wing and as a number 10.”

For Michael Olise, however, the World Cup ended in disappointment. The Bayern Munich pro was eliminated with France in the semifinals on Tuesday evening after a 0–2 loss to Spain, thus missing out on a spot in the final. Despite the elimination, the 24-year-old was one of the tournament’s standout players thanks to his strong performances.