Somewhat obscured by the new season and other transfer market melodramas is the fact Michael Olise remains at Crystal Palace.
Michael Olise signed a new four-year deal at Crystal Palace after a proposed move to Chelsea fell through. According to the Athletic, Chelsea made an error in their approach for the 21-year-old.
His £35 million release clause stipulated a potential buyer was obligated to approach Michael Olise first. Chelsea went straight to Crystal Palace, allowing them to simply ignore the offer.
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While Olise’s short-term future may have been decided by legalities rather than loyalty, it is encouraging nonetheless. Chelsea continue to ruffle feathers around the Premier League with their wanton spending.
When news broke that Chelsea had triggered Olise’s release clause, nobody was surprised. The West London club would surely hoover up another young talent to add to their Stamford Bridge legions.
The problem with the Chelsea project currently is that it still isn’t a club where young players are flourishing. Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson believes Selhurst Park is the best place for Olise to build on his potential.
“The decision has been his and I must congratulate Steve Parrish and Dougie Freedman in the fantastic job they have done in persuading him that with pressure from the outside, this is your place and it’s where we believe he can progress and develop in the right way.”
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“I had a long chat with him when the subject was first broached, but that was a long time ago at the start of pre-season.
“I made it clear to him just how much I enjoy working with him and how much respect I have for him as a player and what potential I think he has as a player.
“And in that I suggested that I thought being at Crystal Palace and playing here would be the best option, but I also made it clear that I wasn’t going to put him under any unnecessary pressure.”
