Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is having a good season so far. After struggling with lean patches of form last season at Madrid, the French midfield star is raring to go, reinvigorated with a rise in form and consistency.
He is enjoying his role as one of the leaders of both his club and country, galvanizing his teams and pressing on as a resourceful and enthusiastic voice on the pitch. Tchouameni was all smiles after France defeated Ukraine 2-0, with Kylian Mbappe netting the winner off a delectable assist by him.
Aurélien Tchouaméni on Michael Olise: "For me the most impressive thing about him is that he gives the impression everything he does is easy. He has a certain nonchalance with the ball that when you watch him, you say: that's too easy for him. Michael is a fantastic player, we… pic.twitter.com/T0uZ8w7sYJ
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For a leader, it is essential to recognize the capabilities and highlight the talents of teammates. Tchouameni is no such exception, we gather. Speaking at a press conference, he lavishly heaped praises on compatriot Michael Olise. Olise, who was signed by Bayern Munich in 2024 on a €53 million fee from English Premier League side Crystal Palace, has stunned the Bundesliga audiences with his silky dribbling and adept playmaking skills, making him a crowd favourite in the Allianz Arena. Olise is touted to be the next big thing in world football, with his world-class talent coming to the forefront for Vincent Kompany’s Bayern, where the winger scored 24 goals and provided 23 assists in a total of 59 games.
While talking about Olise, the Los Meringues midfielder admitted that he watches Bayern on the weekends and knows Olise’s talent.
“For me the most impressive thing about him is that he gives the impression that everything he does is easy. He has a certain nonchalance with the ball that when you watch him, you say: that’s too easy for him. Michael is a fantastic player, we see him every weekend at Bayern, and now he’s making a name for himself with the national team. Having him is an advantage for us.”
There are two kinds of praise in football: the clapped-on-for-views kind, and the quiet, knowing nod from someone who’s seen you all season. Aurélien Tchouaméni’s shout-out to Michael Olise was very much the latter, the sort of compliment that feels like a seal of approval from inside the room. Tchouameni’s approval of his teammate would also suggest a silent hand of confidence for the young Olise, who is still finding his feet with the national team under Didier Deschamps. Olise scored the first goal of the game against Ukraine, handing Les Bleus an early advantage in a game they largely dominated.
Michael Olise’s time in Bayern has been alleviated by his promising goal contributions and knack for carrying the ball out of tight corners, a skill he would do regularly at Selhurst Park. Fans often ask why it took so long for a visible talent like Olise to get in the national team.
To be frank, the answer is a bit complicated.
Born in Greater London, to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, Olise grew up playing football in England, playing for seven years in the famed Chelsea Academy at Cobham, before joining Reading’s academy in 2018. He went under the radar and away from the spotlight, securing himself a £8 million pound deal to Crystal Palace in 2021, aged 20. Since then, his career has been a rapid, if underrated, rise. Soon, the silky skills and dreadlocks would be wowing Premier League crowds, drawing attention from European giants.
Tchouameni, himself a young midfield general with excellent leadership qualities, possesses fine leadership qualities. If his vision for talent is as good as his vision for passing, then Olise need not worry too much.
Michael Olise is a gem to watch out for, and he is only going to get better.
