Michael Olise looks destined for the top with Chelsea, Man City and PSG interested - Crystal Palace and France U21 star is a fan favourite after just two years
Michael Olise is still an enigma. Just not enough of an enigma to stop some of the world's grandest clubs pursuing him.
He is, with the media, taciturn. After scoring a 94th-minute winner against West Ham in November, his account was brief. 'I think Wilf passed me the ball. Shot. Scored,' came his analysis, which went viral. Wilfried Zaha was in stitches.
What people don't talk about from that game is his celebration, his open-armed pose in front of West Ham's auditorium, showmanlike, inviting acclaim from south London and splutters of anger from the east of the capital.
If he is a wallflower as some think, any trace of that reputation dissipates when his feet touch perfectly manicured grass. On a football pitch he is expressive and vibrant and plays in glorious watercolour.
It's why Chelsea have reportedly tabled a £39million bid for the 21-year-old to try and ensnare him ahead of Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain.
Mauricio Pochettino is a big admirer and has already spoken with the winger to try and coax him to Stamford Bridge. Is he worth that? A quick glance at his stats on Wikipedia doesn't offer much justification. Two goals this season, four goals last. Hardly bountiful.
But to focus on that raw number is to fundamentally misunderstand Olise's wholeness as a player. A total of 11 assists last season had him trailing only Kevin de Bruyne, Mo Salah, and Leandro Trossard.
No other player his age in Europe's top five leagues registered more, and it matched Saka's haul. He struck up a delightful friendship and partnership with team-mate Eberechi Eze, providing half of the attacking midfielder's goals.
Mauricio Pochettino is a big admirer and has already spoken with the winger to try and coax him to Stamford
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