Flashscore Player of the Month: Michael Olise Shines for Bundesliga Front-runners Bayern

In an exciting new monthly segment, Flashscore leverages detailed statistics along with our player ratings system to analyse who has excelled the most in the top leagues around the globe. Ousmane Dembele took home our accolade for January, and another French talent is under consideration for February – with Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise stepping into the spotlight.

Making an Impact in Germany

Olise joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024, transferring from Crystal Palace for an estimated fee of approximately €60 million (£50m) after a few strong seasons in the Premier League.

The French winger was regarded as one of the most promising young talents in England, with many expecting him to play for one of the ‘big six’ clubs before Bayern struck to secure his services, making him one of the first high-profile signings under coach Vincent Kompany.

Although he missed pre-season with Bayern to compete in the Olympics with France, Olise quickly adapted to the Bundesliga, taking full advantage of his opportunities and making his mark as one of the league’s finest players in his position.

Becoming a Crucial Offensive Presence

In a squad brimming with attacking prowess, Olise’s rise to one of Bayern’s pivotal figures is particularly noteworthy.

His performances throughout February have been vital for Bayern, helping them maintain their position at the summit of the Bundesliga and advance to the Champions League Round of 16. Olise featured in seven matches, contributing three goals, one assist, and earning an average rating of 8.2.

Throughout the season, Olise ranks among Europe’s elite creative players, sitting in the top percentile for chances created per 90 minutes, alongside impressive stats in completed dribbles and touches within the opposition box.

Olise’s impressive form carried on into February, highlighted by his contributions in a 2-1 win against Celtic and a 3-1 success over Stuttgart, where he found the net in both encounters.

However, his impact extends beyond just scoring and assisting. An analysis of his performance reveals a wealth of contributions. Over February, the 23-year-old created the joint-most five significant chances across Europe’s top five leagues (alongside Dortmund’s Pascal Gross, Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, and Toulouse’s Aron Donnum). Additionally, he crafted nine regular chances from open play and three from set-pieces.

Olise’s signature dribbling and exceptional close control were consistently evident throughout the month, completing 11 successful take-ons and 31 progressive carries in the Bundesliga (where a progressive carry is defined as a movement of at least five metres forward).

In fact, he has been one of the best attacking ball carriers in the Bundesliga all season, amassing an impressive total of 371 progressive carries.

In the Champions League, Olise was equally influential, creating three big chances during the knockout playoff matches – the highest of any player – while also completing four successful dribbles.

On the surface, these figures might not seem overly impressive, but it’s important to consider that Olise faced a resilient Celtic defence over the two matches. His contributions were instrumental in breaking down Celtic’s defensive setup, which nearly thwarted Bayern’s progress, highlighted by a spectacular opening goal in the first leg.

A ‘True Football Player’

While Olise’s technical ability is evident, French football icon Thierry Henry, who mentored him during the 2024 Olympics, emphasizes that the 23-year-old’s contributions extend beyond just talent.

“Michael (Olise) is a true football player,” Henry shared with the Independent.

“He always strives to do what the game demands for the team. He presses well, possesses great vision for a pass, and as we’ve seen, he’s capable of scoring goals.”

“He’s a remarkable talent who consistently focuses on fulfilling the team’s needs, a task that isn’t always straightforward.”

This commitment is reflected in Olise’s performance last month, winning back possession 23 times in the Bundesliga and triumphing in 26 duels, demonstrating his value even off the ball.

“It’s significant when you have the ability to excel individually, yet you remain grounded enough to prioritise what the team needs,” Henry added.

“I’m thrilled with his progress, as he truly deserves the success.”