Michael Olise is an example of the absurd and laughable depth of the French attack. At 24 years old, he is already one of Bayern Munich’s best players, coming off a season where he was in the conversation for best winger on the planet. Olise is now valued by Transfermarkt at $176.4m, and is probably at best the third attacker most fans would name in a French front line that includes Kylian Mbappé and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé.
Olise is not just a depth piece for France. With 15 caps and four goals for France, he provides a valuable second or third option if defenses focus too much on Mbappé or Dembélé. As a left-footed winger, Olise usually starts from the right, and brings France touch, patience, deception, set-piece quality and that calm final pass that can turn a crowded box into an open shot. In a France team built around Mbappé’s gravity on the left, Olise gives Deschamps a way to attack the other side without the whole possession feeling like it has to tilt toward one superstar.
His club season has pushed him from “nice option” into “how do you leave him out?” territory. Olise netted 25 goals and 28 assists in all competitions for Bayern this season, leading the Bundesliga in assists and finishing second to teammate Harry Kane in goals + assists, and led the league in Big Chances Created.
Olise’s game-changing ability could be one of the decisive factors in the late stages of the tournament. The group and early knockouts set up well for France. They will be heavily favored against Iraq, Senegal and Norway, but those are three very different games. Iraq may defend deep and force France to break down a low block. Senegal have the athletes to make the game physical and chaotic. Norway have Haaland and Ødegaard, which means France may need to control the ball and avoid turning the match into a transition shootout. Olise helps in all three versions because he can play fast when the counter is there, but he is also comfortable when France have to be patient.
The larger question is whether this becomes his tournament or merely his introduction. Mbappé is still the main character. Dembélé is the Ballon d’Or winner. Doué is the rising star. But Olise might be the cleanest fit for what France need around them, a right-sided creator who can press, combine, deliver, and score without demanding that the attack revolve around him. Given his outstanding club season, if France win the World Cup powered by a breakout tournament from Olise, he could be on the short list for the next Ballon d’Or.