Michael Olise… Fully Recovered and Back with Twice the Good Foot; What a Comeback!

Michael Olise had been out with an excruciating torn hamstring injury he sustained while playing for France at the European Under-21s Championship in June 2023. His absence caused genuine concern about who would set the goals for the Selhurst Park Eagles.

Michael Olise ranked second for goal scoring chances created since the start of the 2022-23 season with 72, just behind Palace’s last season’s top goal scorer Eberechi Eze at 75, who now had to shoulder the creative burden in Olise’s absence. In the middle of August, Crystal Palace fans received an unexpected boost when Olise put pen to paper on a new contract.

The 21-year-old had been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, with reports of a £35m release clause in his contract, making Chelsea and Manchester City, the two clubs where he spent his formative years, hunger for his switch from the South East London club, but the Palace hierarchy convinced him to sign a new four-year deal – with that clause removed. But in anticipation of Olise’s return to the Palace starting lineup, he re-injured his hamstring and had to wait to return to action.

Hamstrings are fickle things. Olise had been ramping up his training but unfortunately pushed it a little too much, and even if he was feeling well enough to push it a little more, he went too far. This setback added more weeks to his return and gave a significant blow to Palace, who had to continue assessing their wonder kid for a couple of days to plot a new timeline for his return— days which turned into weeks and weeks which later turned into months. Olise missed Palace’s matches before the October international break: at home to Fulham and Nottingham Forest and away at Manchester United in the Premier League and Carabao Cup, to name a few. The team had struggled without Olise’s creativity, scoring just seven goals in eight league games. Last season, he set up 11 goals independently and cut two from 37 appearances– only Kevin De Bruyne (16), Mo Salah, and Leandro Trossard (12) picked up more assists. He also made 72 key passes (passes that lead to shots from a teammate) – more than any other Palace player. By mid-November, Michael had made good strides, but the sports science people at Selhurst Park were more careful with him this time.

He finally made his long-awaited return off the bench during a 3-2 loss to Everton. Though without a chance created or a shot on goal in that game, in his usual swashbuckling style, he still looked nothing short of the significant goal scoring threat and excellent contributor to the attack as a whole that he’s known to be. He ended the day shooting twice and sending in four crosses.

Then came Crystal Palace’s box-office moment from Michael Olise: against Luton Town, where he pulled off a brilliant solo effort. It was just mere moments after the Eagles fell behind at Kenilworth Road, Olise, with a moment of magic, they responded with a goal of the highest quality befitting of a 600th Premier League goal for the club, picking up the ball on the halfway line, teasing and beating his marker on the right twice and unleashing a delightful dipping curler into the far top corner of the net and drawing his team level, a fine quality effort for the occasion.

Palace was more likely to score again after that as Olise’s deep free-kick found Edouard well-placed to head goal-wards at the back post. His initial effort forced Kaminski into a good save, and Guéhi nodded the rebound over – but was then judged to be offside. Olise’s game at Luton had five shots (one on goal), 13 crosses (five accurate), and four corners to go with it.

It was all highly positive to see the attacker get on the scoresheet already, seeing this was only his second match back from a lengthy hamstring injury. He was not only influential with his goal but also provided a lot of help in the attack, notching three chances created, five shots, and an astonishing 13 crosses. Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson added: “He’s such a wonderful talent. ” “For someone who loves football, it’s a joy to see him play – through matches and even on the training field.  “It’s a pleasure to watch him play. I will be delighted when he comes back entirely to his best.  “He will make us stronger as a squad, and he will give us some enjoyment. He will provide the people who come and watch us play, the spectators, a lot of pleasure too.