The real story behind why Michael Olise left Chelsea’s academy has come out
Michael Olise is one of the top players in the world right now, and his journey could have gone very differently. The France winger had an amazing 2025-26 season with Bayern Munich, scoring 25 goals and making 28 assists in 52 games. He won the Bundesliga Player of the Season award and became only the second player since 2004-05 to get at least 15 goals and 15 assists in one Bundesliga season, after Jadon Sancho.
His great form has continued into the World Cup, where Olise already has five assists—more than anyone else at the tournament. Thanks to players like him, France’s attack is living up to the hype and they are strong contenders to win it all.
Before making his pro debut with Reading in 2019, Olise went through youth academies at Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City—but was let go by all three. Last month, during a pre-World Cup photoshoot, he was even pictured wearing a Chelsea shirt, reminding fans of where he started.
The reason he left Chelsea was shared by Jose Gomes, the former Reading coach who gave Olise his first professional game and now coaches in Saudi Arabia. Gomes said Olise was “kicked out” of Chelsea’s academy because he didn’t go to classes or focus on school, which was an issue at Reading too. Gomes fought to keep him at Reading, saying Olise didn’t want to be a mathematician or engineer but a soccer player.
The story at Manchester City was different. Olise left because his teammates made fun of him for being weaker physically. When the team had to do push-ups, he struggled, and his teammates laughed, making him feel humiliated. So, he decided to leave.
Now, Olise is one of the most wanted players in Europe. Both Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid are eager to sign him this summer. But Bayern Munich will not let him go easily. Club president Herbert Hainer said, “Olise is not for sale. We are not going to sell him.” Olise is signed with Bayern until 2029, so the club wants to keep their star player for a long time.