Crystal Palace coach, Patrick Vieira, says that Nigerian youngster, Michael Olise, should make a personal decision about which country he will represent at senior international level.
Olise, 20, has been capped twice by France at the U-18 level, but is eligible to play for one of the four countries that include two African or two European nations at senior international level, namely; Nigeria, Algeria, France or England.
Olise was born in the United Kingdom – precisely London, to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, hence his eligibility to play for any of the four countries.
His younger brother, Richard Olise, a wing-back, who plays for Chelsea Academy side, currently represents England at the youth level.
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Vieira was asked about Olise’s international career during a post-match press conference ahead of Crystal Palace’s Premier League home game against Manchester City scheduled for Monday March 14 2022.
“This is a decision he has to make as a player – it’s a family decision,” Vieira is quoted as saying in a report by Football.london.
“He hasn’t come to me to ask for advice. What is important for him is to play well. His focus and concentration has to be Crystal Palace, training well and keep on performing well.
“When he was at Reading, talking to the manager at the time, he really believed Michael has the quality to play in the Premier League
“It was about creating somewhere he can keep improving.”
Vieira added: “We knew how good he was and since he’s been with us he was injured and then came through difficult first months, not training and playing.
“He was frustrated, he managed to get back on the field and his work ethic is unbelievable.
“He wants to spend time on the field and improve himself, the more he plays the more confidence he’ll get and he’s managed to get the trust of his teammates.
“He’s playing well, enjoying his football.”
By Toju Sote
8 Comments
Olise is a talent Nigeria could not afford to lose. NFF ,Augustine Eguavoen,Emmanuel Amuneke,Doherty,Tunde Adelakun, Amaju Pinnick must press the necessary buttons and employ all their persuasive skills to get the rasta-haired midfield maestro to lace his boots for the Super Eagles. Even if it means engaging the likes of Jay Jay Okocha,Nwankwo Kanu,John Fashanu,Shola Ameobi,Reuben Agboola and Efan Ekoku to visit Olise and possibly speak to his family regarding playing for the three-time African Champions. Please ,if it is true that the player actually gave his words to Coach “Cetezo” that he would consider the proposal of dorning our green and white jersey if the Super Eagles scale the Ghana hurdle by qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar,then we must do it for him. With Michael Olise of Crystal Palace in our midfield ,the Super Eagles have a very bright future!
The white are very cunning .They introduced all these nationality by birth in other to scam and continue stealing talents from Africa. Olise is Nigerian blood and that is the only country he can chose to play for and have an elongated International career. England is fake. When u are at your best delivery for them they love; any day u make a mistake they remind where your roots is by calling u monkey. Olise use ur head.Dont let what happened to Saka at the Europes be your portion.
The young man seems confused at the moment,it seems he doesn’t know what he wants and I will advice NFF to do like France and leave him alone to make his choice ,I don’t want another akpoguma situation,I heard he doesn’t want to play for again ,he was called up to replace balogun but he refused .let’s not push it too much and look for Nigerians home and abroad that are as good as him to come and give thier all for us.
While we hope Olise reconsiders and play for his father land, “I want to move for a legislation under sports for a capital punishment on any Coach, Agent, Manager, Scout, NFF official, sports official or public office holder who is caught demanding for a bribe or by force management of players and related illegal conditions before allowing a player (Nigerian born or dual citizen) to favourably compete and represent his/her fatherland be it age grade or National team”.
We heard of players testimonies indicting certain coaches of such mischief to the detriment of our nation (#Alaba and others…).
Amoo is good but Olise pass am wella plus others based on current form and standing. It’s too bad, Sad!!!
Olise father doesn’t want him to play for Nigeria I read. Nigeria already lost, especially when he was on standby 2 times. When he was in reading he was getting calls from every team from all different top leagues. He signed a six year contract, but was smart by his mother to put a buyout clause in which bayern, barcelona, real madrid, chelsea want him now. He is humble to the point he doesn’t celebrate his goals. If he wants to win, he just doesn’t have to play for Nigeria. England and France are rotating their squads leaving other players and bringing new players. Matuidi and Fakir are a few who dont get called up anymore. If he plays in Europe he will always be on top of his game. Super eagles will just keep calling relegated players like Jamilu Collins and just dance and say how wizkid change their life. Super eagles didnt even call him up for the games against Ghana, he is not important to them, but Algeria, England and France see his value. And people here been saying how the midfield is dead
We are not making headway with the numerous players we have already, and people are still clamouring for more foreign born players. You might even wanna ask the presidency to intervene and call the boy`s father. Rubbish, these guys only switched to Nigeria because they`ve got no option. Look at Bukayo Saka, if you think Lukman would agree to switch if he had a choice to choose between England and Nigeria, then you need to stop smoking.
Help us preach it. Abeg why all this noise, let him go to the 3 lions, who does he want to bench in the team, # lions self get selection problems. Let him ask tammy Abraham and co. Let him take his talent else where, his skills alone will not win games.
In the super eagles right wing, we have options like samuel chukwueze, Ademola Lookman and Victor moses. Is michael Olise better than all of them?
In the creative midfield, we have Joe Aribo and Akinkumi Amoo. Is michael Olise better than them?
If michael Olise is this good, why are clubs like Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, city, man utd, not jostling for him in the manner these clubs are jostling for victor osimhen?
Nigeria should let michael Olise take his decision. We shouldn’t beg him too much in order not to lose our respect.