Roy Hodgson has admitted that Crystal Palace face a fight to keep Michael Olise as Chelsea push to sign the France Under-21 international.
The 75-year-old was quoted by The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam when speaking about the 21-year-old.
So, what did Roy Hodgson say about Chelsea target Michael Olise? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well – according to David Ornstein – Chelsea are seriously interested in signing the Crystal Palace No.7 this summer.
A story from Last Word on Football has since added that Chelsea are preparing a bid for Olise.
Now – after Crystal Palace drew against Sevilla in a friendly – Hodgson has admitted that the south Londoners may lose their precocious winger this summer.
The Athletic quote the Croydon-born tactician as saying: “Slight doubt… we have a fight on our hands to make sure he stays with us. We had two outstanding wingers who were almost the best in the league. Michael Olise on the right side and Wilf on the left. We don’t have Wilf anymore. Clubs are circling around (Olise).”
According to 90min, Chelsea believe they have beaten Manchester City and Arsenal to the Londoner’s signature, due to the fact his brother Richard plays in the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge.
The Crystal Palace wonderkid himself also spent seven years in Chelsea’s academy, and it is said that the Blues have forged a strong relationship with the Olise family as a result.
Chelsea will have to wait for Olise
If Chelsea do manage to sign Olise – which would be a special transfer – fans will have to wait until they see him in action.
The £8m man unfortunately suffered a hamstring injury while playing for the France Under-21 side at the UEFA Under-21 European Championships this summer, and will miss the start of the 2023/24 campaign as a result.
Nevertheless, Olise is a mercurial talent worth waiting for, and his injury should not put Chelsea off in the slightest – by the sounds of it, the Blues are pushing to strike a deal regardless of his hamstring issue.