Former Manchester City defender, Gael Clichy, believes Michael Olise has what it takes to make a major impact at the World Cup and move into the top bracket of France’s attacking talents.
Clichy expressed belief that Olise is well placed to have a breakthrough moment on football’s biggest stage if he carries his club form into the tournament.
He pointed to how certain players use major competitions to transform perception, not just reputation, but standing within the game itself.
Olise, in Clichy’s view, fits that profile heading into the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Bayern Munich forward has already shown his quality in the Champions League, but Clichy stressed that he is still early in his international journey, with just 16 appearances for France and a first World Cup ahead of him.
He recalled that even before the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Olise was not yet widely recognised in France after his move from Crystal Palace to Germany, suggesting that his true level is still not fully appreciated in some quarters.
“I worked with him at that tournament, when I was assistant coach with Thierry Henry for the French under-23 team, and I thought then that could have been his moment.
“The Olympics is obviously a major event, and we reached the final, and almost won gold.
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“But the World Cup is something different, and this is Michael’s first big tournament with the first team. I will be watching him at this World Cup as a pundit for BBC Sport, and he is the player I am most looking forward to seeing play game after game at this level, and showing everyone exactly what he can do.
“I know how good he is, and what a top guy he is too. If he can take the season he has just had for Bayern, and bring his magic to the World Cup, then he will be seen as one of the very best that we have in France.
“And, if he performs as well as he can do, then the team will perform well too.
“I think every player matures differently – everyone has got his own journey, and it is affected by how you are used by your coach.”
