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Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City each had the opportunity to secure Michael Olise in youth football, yet the London clubs "kicked him out" of their academies, while the promising youngster was left "humiliated" by ridiculing teammates in Manchester and walked away.
Ultimately, it was their loss. Bayern Munich are now enjoying the benefits, with Olise ranking among the finest players on the planet and a genuine candidate for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
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The winger, born in London, wrapped up the 2025–26 campaign with 53 goal contributions across 52 appearances for Bayern and heads into the World Cup as a pivotal figure for pre-tournament favorites France.
Olise made his name at Reading in England's lower divisions before developing further at Crystal Palace and then elevating his game to another level following his 2024 move to Bayern. Reading was the final club to get their hands on Olise, picking up the pieces after Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City had each previously held him.
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Olise 'Kicked Out' by Premier League Giants
José Gomes was the Reading manager who recognized Olise's potential and even intervened to prevent him from being released there as well. "Before he turned 14, he was part of Arsenal's youth setup, but he never settled in," the well-traveled coach told AS amid speculation linking Olise to Real Madrid.
"Chelsea showed him the door for the same reason some tried to do at Reading: because he skipped classes and neglected his studies." Gomes went to bat for Olise when his Reading future—and perhaps any professional career at that point—hung in the balance, telling the "youth academy directors that the boy had no desire to become a mathematician or an engineer, but a soccer player."
Gomes also revealed: "At [Manchester] City, it was because his teammates laughed at him. He had a slight build, while the English boys were physically strong. When the fitness coach asked them to do push-ups, he really struggled, and his teammates mocked him. He felt humiliated and walked out."
Olise made his Reading debut in March 2019, aged 17, after being promised an opportunity by Gomes provided he could withstand physically demanding treatment in training without giving up.
"I told my players not to hold back when tackling him hard in training so he could experience what professional soccer truly demands. Michael complained and cried ... he didn't grasp it at the time. I told him that if he could endure a week of his teammates' tough defensive challenges without breaking down, I'd call him up. In the end, it took two weeks, and once I felt he was ready, I gave him his chance."
Greatness Within Reach for Olise
Olise could scarcely be heading into his first World Cup at a more opportune moment. Following an outstanding season for Bayern, he signed off in France's final warm-up fixture against Northern Ireland with a hat-trick and has returned to his preferred right-wing role after spending much of 2025 and early 2026 operating in France's No. 10 position. His partnership with Kylian Mbappé could prove decisive.
France is targeting a third World Cup triumph in 2026, having featured in four of the last seven finals since 1998 to establish themselves as the era's dominant force, yet claiming the title only twice.
A World Cup victory is likely what Olise requires to become a genuine Ballon d'Or contender, with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé in a similar position. The tournament is expected to be the defining factor, which works against Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but could equally bring Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo back into the reckoning.