Sport
French dominance in this World Cup is not possible without Olise.
This has been the World Cup of the superstars. Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and, belatedly, Cristiano Ronaldo have all shown why they are the main men for their nations and head up the race for the Golden Boot.
With France comfortably looking the best team so far, Mbappe is getting the most attention. It is not exactly undeserved; he is the poster boy of Les Bleus and comes alive at the World Cup in particular. He is currently locked in a straight battle with Messi, not just to end this summer as top goalscorer but in tournament history.
It is not unusual for France, winners in 2018 and beaten finalists last time out four years ago, to be heavy favourites. But there is something different about them this time, and it is very concerning for everyone else.
Under Didier Deschamps, traditionally, despite always harnessing one of the most stacked squads in the world in terms of attacking talent, France have always been quite conservative in the play. There is structure and organisation, relying on patience and the quality of Mbappe et al to get them into the business end of tournaments.
Deschamps has, at times, received heavy criticism for that back home. Many believe he should have more to show for his 14 years in charge than one World Cup win and he would have achieved it had he released the handbrake more.
This summer, it looks like that has happened and the secret weapon is Michael Olise. The former Reading and Crystal Palace winger has developed into one of the world’s best players since joining Bayern Munich for £60m in 2024. His rise has been meteoric and, despite his ability being obvious to anyone who had watched him in the Premier League, surprising.
After a stellar season with Bayern, Olise came into the summer as favourite for the right wing position in France’s front four alongside Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but would be pushed all the way by the likes of Rayan Cherki, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola.
As they prepare for a last-16 tie on Saturday, though, now there is no such debate. With France’s performance in the first game looking worryingly similar to the flat, uninspiring offering of previous tournaments, Deschamps made the bold decision to move Olise inside to the number 10 position. From there, he and France have not looked back.
Olise now has five assists, the most since Pele and one fewer than the Brazil legend’s 1970 total. In the group stage, France covered less ground than all but four teams, suggesting they are not only breezing through the competition, but doing so without being fully tested.
Moving Olise into the central role has freed up space for both Dembele and Mbappe further up the pitch, and forced opponents to commit in central areas. Previously, France had to be patient and wait for space to open up, but he glides through gaps. While rivals like England and Spain have struggled to break down low blocks at times, France have had no such issues.
Before the tournament, thanks to scoring 70 club goals alongside Olise at Bayern, Kane was favourite for the Ballon d’Or. Now, with France looking unlikely to be challenged for a second World Cup crown in three editions, Mbappe is looking unstoppable.
He will likely be voted Player of the Tournament should France win it, too. Perhaps, though, that should be reserved for Olise. This dominance wouldn’t have been possible without him, and that fact should be recognised.
