Clichy Bets on Olise to Shine at World Cup

Former French international player Gael Clichy believes that Michael Olise has the potential to emerge as one of France's standout stars during the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Clichy draws parallels to Kylian Mbappe's breakthrough at the 2018 World Cup, highlighting the significance of such tournaments in announcing a player's arrival on the world stage.

Although Olise is already a recognizable figure due to his performances with Bayern Munich, he is still relatively new to the international scene, having made just 16 appearances for Les Bleus. Clichy recalls that prior to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, many in France were not fully aware of Olise's capabilities, especially after his transfer from Crystal Palace.

As a former assistant coach for the French under-23 team, Clichy had the opportunity to work with Olise during the Olympic campaign, where they nearly claimed gold. Now, as he prepares to analyze the World Cup for BBC Sport, Clichy is eager to see how Olise translates his club success onto the global stage. "If he can take the season he has just had for Bayern, and bring his magic to the World Cup, then he will be seen as one of the very best that we have in France," Clichy noted.

Alongside Olise, Clichy also has high hopes for Rayan Cherki, another talented player who is making his World Cup debut. Clichy has observed Cherki's evolution since their time together in the under-23 squad, praising his creative flair and technical ability. He acknowledges, however, that Cherki has faced challenges in adapting to a more complete style of play under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Clichy reflects on the importance of a player's development, emphasizing that working with a coach like Guardiola can significantly influence a young player's career. "Working with Pep can either make you or break you," Clichy stated, underscoring the need for players to embrace the full spectrum of the game, both with and without the ball.

As the World Cup approaches, both Olise and Cherki represent the fresh talent of French football, and many eyes will be on them to see if they can deliver performances that match their promise.