How Olise was rejected by Arsenal, Chelsea before Bayern stardom – Reports - Punch Newspapers
Michael Olise. Photo Credit: Fabrizio Romano
Michael Olise’s rise to becoming one of the most exciting wingers in world football began with a series of setbacks at some of England’s biggest football academies. Before establishing himself at Crystal Palace and earning a high-profile move to Bayern Munich, Olise spent time with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, with none of the three clubs ultimately keeping him. The French international has since gone on to become a key player for Bayern and enjoyed an outstanding 2026 World Cup, finishing the tournament with seven assists, the highest tally by any player. His performances have also placed him among the contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. But his route to the top could have been very different. Arsenal rejection Olise was involved with Arsenal’s academy before the age of 14, but according to former Reading manager Jose Gomes, the youngster struggled to settle at the club. “Before he was 14, he was at Arsenal’s youth academy, but he didn’t adapt,” Gomes told AS on Sunday, according to a report by MSN. His time at Arsenal was therefore short-lived, forcing the youngster to look elsewhere for an opportunity to develop. Chelsea exit Olise subsequently spent time at Chelsea, but his departure was reportedly linked to his approach to education. Gomes revealed that the winger struggled to balance his football development with his academic responsibilities. “Chelsea kicked him out for the same reason some tried to do so at Reading: because he didn’t attend classes and didn’t pay attention to his studies,” Gomes said. The setback was another early obstacle in Olise’s development, but it did not stop him from pursuing a career in professional football. What happened at Manchester City? EPL: Ref body admits error over Haaland winner against Man United FULL LIST: Top 10 scorers in Manchester derby history Bundesliga: Kane scores as Bayern edge Elversberg 2-1 Olise also had a spell at Manchester City, where his departure was attributed to difficulties during physical training. According to Gomes, Olise struggled with fitness exercises and became the target of teasing from some teammates. “At City, it was because his teammates laughed at him. He had weak arms, and English boys were strong,” Gomes said. “When the fitness coach told them to do push-ups, he struggled a lot, and his teammates mocked him. He felt humiliated and left.” Reading provided the breakthrough. After his experiences at Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, Olise eventually found an opportunity at Reading. Gomes played an important role in his development at the club and reportedly intervened when there was a possibility of Olise being released. The winger eventually broke into Reading’s first team before moving to Crystal Palace, where his performances attracted growing attention from across Europe. His progress at Palace ultimately led to a move to Bayern Munich in 2024. From rejected youngster to Bayern star Olise has since established himself as one of Bayern’s most dangerous attacking players. His performances for France at the 2026 World Cup further enhanced his reputation, with seven assists making him the tournament’s leading provider. That form has also fuelled discussions about his chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or. At just 23, Olise has already overcome several setbacks that could easily have derailed his career. The winger’s journey from being rejected by some of England’s biggest academies to becoming a Bayern Munich and France star is a reminder that early setbacks do not necessarily define a player’s future. Gilbert Ekugbe Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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