Why former Palace winger Olise is now in Ballon d’Or contention at Bayern

March 18, 2026 Oliver Obel

Michael Olise’s influence at Bayern Munich is no longer just eye-catching it is becoming central to how the team attacks.

The 24-year-old was instrumental again in Bayern’s 6-1 first-leg win over Atalanta in the Champions League last 16, scoring twice and setting up another. With that advantage, the German side are already within touching distance of the quarter-finals.

But beyond a single performance, Olise’s season is starting to stand out across Europe.

His role in Vincent Kompany’s system has given him both freedom and responsibility. Starting wide on the right, he regularly drifts into central spaces, linking play before accelerating into the final third. That combination creator and finisher in the same phase has made him difficult to defend and even harder to contain over 90 minutes.

The numbers underline that impact. Data highlighted by BBC Sport shows Olise has 23 assists in all competitions this season, more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. Among wingers, his 38 goal involvements also set the pace.

Those returns have pushed him into early Ballon d’Or conversations, even if he is not engaging with them publicly. “It's nice to hear but there's half of the season still to play, so I'm focused on the team and on team titles now,” he said after the win in Bergamo.

Inside the club, the emphasis is less on output and more on consistency. Kompany recently pointed to Olise’s attention to detail, comparing aspects of his mentality to Kevin De Bruyne from their time together at Manchester City. The comparison is not about style, but about process the repetition and precision behind elite-level performance.

Olise’s development has not followed a typical fast track. His time at Reading and Crystal Palace showed flashes of high-level creativity, but his current production marks a clear step forward. According to European football analyst Julien Laurens, speaking to BBC Sport, the move away from London has played a role in that growth, both professionally and personally.

There is also a tactical fit. Bayern’s fluid attacking structure constant rotation, positional interchanges, and emphasis on half-space occupation leans heavily on players who can make decisions quickly in tight areas. Olise has thrived in that environment.

Since the start of last season, he has produced 44 assists in all competitions, the highest total among players in Europe’s top five leagues in that period. In terms of chance creation, only Bruno Fernandes has generated more opportunities, again based on BBC Sport data.

Even so, questions remain about how that form translates to the international stage.

France manager Didier Deschamps is considering using Olise in a central number 10 role at the upcoming World Cup, filling the space left by Antoine Griezmann’s international retirement. It is a move that would shift him away from the right flank, where he has been most effective.

Laurens is not entirely convinced by that idea. “I'm sure Olise will do really well as a number 10 at the World Cup,” he said. “But I just question why you would want to change him.”

Given France’s depth in attacking positions, Deschamps has options. Still, on current form, few players offer the same blend of creativity and end product.

For Bayern, the immediate focus is silverware. For Olise, the bigger picture is forming at the same time. A deep Champions League run, combined with a strong international tournament, would elevate his season from impressive to defining.

At that point, the comparisons to past Bayern greats or current global stars may no longer be necessary.

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Sources: BBC Sport