- Michael Olise turned down an offer to move to Chelsea in favor of a new, long-term contract with Crystal Palace.
- In his two seasons at Selhurst Park, Olise made 71 appearances in all competitions and contributed six goals and 19 assists.
- It was anticipated that the playmaker will leave this summer due to an estimated £35 million release clause in his contract.
Michael Olise turned down an offer to move to Chelsea in favor of a new, long-term contract with Crystal Palace.
In his two seasons at Selhurst Park, Olise made 71 appearances in all competitions and contributed six goals and 19 assists.
The France Under-21 international has, however, unavoidably drawn admiring looks from other teams, notably Chelsea and Manchester City.
It was anticipated that the playmaker will leave this summer due to an estimated £35 million release clause in his contract.
The 21-year-old has instead pledged his future to the Eagles through 2027, as shockingly revealed by Palace chairman Steve Parish on social media.
Michael Olise. Photo/Premier League
Chelsea links
The news of the development coincides with reports that Chelsea was willing to either trigger the release clause or pay somewhat more than that amount over time.
Additionally, it’s been said that Olise was content to relocate to Stamford Bridge after beginning his childhood career in West London.
Nevertheless, he will be wearing the colors of Palace when he completely recovers from a hamstring injury. Palace opened their Premier League campaign last Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United.
Palace is expected to benefit greatly from this, but Chelsea will also suffer because the Blues appear to have chosen the former Reading kid as their first option.
Everything seemed to have been in place for Chelsea to get Olise after acquiring Moises Caicedo and presumably bringing in Romeo Lavia.
Now that it seems more likely than not that Lewis Hall will join Newcastle United, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital will shift their focus elsewhere.
READ: Arsenal to return back to transfer market after Jurrien Timber injury
According to a story from earlier this week, Chelsea wants to let go of another six footballers before the transfer market shuts at the end of the month.
Even if being turned down by Olise is unlikely to alter those claimed intentions, Mauricio Pochettino could decide to stick with players like Ian Maatsen for the time being.
Olise’s free-kick goal against United. Photo/The Sun
His first goal of the campaign came against West Ham, a rival team from London, in the London Stadium in November 2022. The goal, which was subsequently named the club’s Moment of the Season, came in the 94th minute.
Olise subsequently followed this up against Manchester United in January 2023 with a last-second equalizing free-kick that earned the Premier League Goal of the Month title and the club’s Goal of the Season honor. At the conclusion of the season, Olise was chosen as the Players’ Player of the Season.
“It’s the best news we could have”, manager Roy Hodgson said. “I had been concerned – it’s always concerning when a club of Chelsea’s stature takes interest in a player, and people will suggest that a move to them might be the best bet.”
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