If Chelsea signs Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise this summer, they may have a problem.
Michael Olise has been linked with a move to Cher (Image: Getty)
If Michael Olise moves to Stamford Bridge this summer, he may find himself in a collision path with Raheem Sterling, according to Chelsea’s transfer target. The Blues intend to reapply for the Crystal Palace winger in spite of their unsuccessful £35 million offer from a year ago, which they thought would have triggered a contract release clause.
The 22-year-old, however, made the decision to remain at Palace and subsequently inked a new contract with the team that extends until 2027.
A new clause in that deal allows Olise to join another team if they offer £60 million, an amount that Chelsea doesn’t seem to be able to afford as they struggle to meet profit and sustainability requirements.
Todd Boehly and company, however, are supposedly going to refute that idea by making Palace an offer that includes both Trevoh Chalobah and Noni Madueke. However, the former France under-21 international’s squad number could also be a crucial component of any possible transaction.
Olise played with Reading in the 2020–21 season, his first official senior football campaign. He wore the No. 7 shirt. After that year, he joined Palace and adopted the same uniform for the youth team.
Since then, he has played for the Eagles first squad in the Premier League for three years. Additionally, he has continued to use the shirt number made famous in England’s top flight by players like David Beckham, Luis Suarez, and Cristiano Ronaldo under managers Patrick Vieira, Roy Hodgson, and Oliver Glasner.
Raheem Sterling is the current Chelsea No.7. (Image: Getty)
However, Sterling is presently Chelsea’s No. 7 best player. Even if he hasn’t been at his best since joining from Manchester City for £47.5 million two years ago, the seasoned forward is still one of the most valuable and recognisable members of the team, having won four Premier League titles while playing for Pep Guardiola.
Nevertheless, he presented a rather gloomy image during the previous season, as he was allegedly upset over losing his spot in Gareth Southgate’s England team and was taunted by his own fans during games. Mauricio Pochettino also substituted him early in the team’s League Cup final loss to Liverpool.
If 29-year-old Enzo Maresca, the new manager, were to take away his beloved clothing, it would surely cast doubt on his future. By giving Olise the No. 9 jersey, which is nearly guaranteed to become available once Romelu Lukaku’s departure is officially confirmed, the Italian might save a possible drama.
Olise might not be as eager to emulate the Belgian striker, though, considering the well-known “curse” that many team supporters associate with the number. The majority of Chelsea strikers to don the renowned number in the Premier League era have been viewed as misfit purchases.
Among the infamous and long list of names are Chris Sutton, Mateja Kezman, Khalid Boulahrouz, Steve Sidwell, Radamel Falcao, Fernando Torres, and Franco di Santo. Lukaku, who cost £97.5 million to sign from Inter Milan, is the most costly failure of the bunch. He only played for one season in 2021–2022 before going out on loan for the next two years.
