Michael Olise's future cleared up by Thierry Henry after U-turn attempt

24 June 2024 , 00:00

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Thierry Henry will coach Michael Olise this summer (Image: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Thierry Henry has confirmed that Bayern Munich-bound Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise wants to play for France instead of England at international level.

England boss Gareth Southgate confirmed last month that the FA were monitoring 22-year-old Olise following France manager Didier Deschamps' decision to leave him out of his star-studded squad for Euro 2024. The Palace forward, who's set to join Bayern in a £51million transfer deal, was born in Hammersmith and to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother.

Olise is therefore eligible to represent all four countries at international level but as Henry has explained, France are his preference. The Arsenal legend now manages France's under-21 side and will also lead their Olympic team for the upcoming men's football tournament in Paris later this summer.

Henry has named Olise as part of his preliminary 25-man squad and told a press conference earlier this week: "We know that he has plenty of possibilities but he wants to play for France. You have to highlight his desire to show that he wants to play for the French team.

"If he was English, he would have already left to play for England. He could have made the other choice and played the Euros with the England team, like his team-mate Eberechi Eze at Crystal Palace but he wants to play for France, knowing that he wouldn't play in the Euros."

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Olise has already been capped by France at under-18 and under-21 level but speaking ahead of the European Championship in Germany, Southgate confirmed England's interest even it'd be a difficult process. "He would have to have a transfer of association," Southgate explained. "That process would take quite a while.

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Michael Olise wants to play for France, despite England's interest (Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

"He is obviously a very good player, he hasn't made their squad. They might be taking him to the Olympics, I don't know. He is a player we should have an interest in because he is a very good player but there is no way you could do all of that in time for the Euros."

Olise is set to take his talents away from England in more ways than one this summer, as Bayern close in on his signature. Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City were all interested but it's the German giants, now managed by Vincent Kompany, who are expected to win the race.

Nathan Ridley