How Olise was rejected by Arsenal, Chelsea before Bayern stardom – Reports

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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.

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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.

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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.

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His performances have also placed him among the contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

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But his route to the top could have been very different.

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Arsenal rejection

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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.

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“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.

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His time at Arsenal was therefore short-lived, forcing the youngster to look elsewhere for an opportunity to develop.

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Chelsea exit

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Olise subsequently spent time at Chelsea, but his departure was reportedly linked to his approach to education.

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Gomes revealed that the winger struggled to balance his football development with his academic responsibilities.

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“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.

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The setback was another early obstacle in Olise’s development, but it did not stop him from pursuing a career in professional football.

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What happened at Manchester City?

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Olise also had a spell at Manchester City, where his departure was attributed to difficulties during physical training.

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According to Gomes, Olise struggled with fitness exercises and became the target of teasing from some teammates.

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“At City, it was because his teammates laughed at him. He had weak arms, and English boys were strong,” Gomes said.

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“When the fitness coach told them to do push-ups, he struggled a lot, and his teammates mocked him. He felt humiliated and left.”

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Reading provided the breakthrough.

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After his experiences at Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, Olise eventually found an opportunity at Reading.

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Gomes played an important role in his development at the club and reportedly intervened when there was a possibility of Olise being released.

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The winger eventually broke into Reading’s first team before moving to Crystal Palace, where his performances attracted growing attention from across Europe.

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His progress at Palace ultimately led to a move to Bayern Munich in 2024.

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From rejected youngster to Bayern star

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Olise has since established himself as one of Bayern’s most dangerous attacking players.

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His performances for France at the 2026 World Cup further enhanced his reputation, with seven assists making him the tournament’s leading provider.

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That form has also fuelled discussions about his chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

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At just 23, Olise has already overcome several setbacks that could easily have derailed his career.

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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.

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