Michael Olise: The silent maestro giving voice to Zidane France

Watching France take its first steps under Zinedine Zidane, I find myself looking for the player who will translate the new head coach's ideas into actual football. After four matches, my gaze keeps returning to Michael Olise.

Watching France take its first steps under Zinedine Zidane, I find myself looking for the player who will translate the new head coach's ideas into actual football. After four matches, my gaze keeps returning to Michael Olise. In the Bayern winger, I discern a rare blend of imagination and efficiency—a creative force that steps up when the going gets tough.

Against Belgium at the Stade de France, I saw this force unfold over the course of half an hour. France was trailing 1–0, the first defeat of the Zidane era loomed, and Olise replaced Ousmane Dembélé on the right flank. Two goals and an assist later, the final 4–1 scoreline reflected the magnitude of the turnaround. Yet, what struck me most was the way his presence altered the team's attacking rhythm.

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Una publicación compartida de Equipe de France de Football (@equipedefrance)

In his link-up play with Rayan Cherki and Désiré Doué, I see an intriguing footballing understanding taking shape. Their techniques are finding a shared rhythm; the ball is moving along more varied paths, and the French attack has gained more options. I look forward to seeing how this partnership develops.

I am equally struck by the contrast between his on-field performance and his public persona. Speaking to TF1, he spoke simply about the challenges posed by a deep-sitting defense and his team's persistence. When told the crowd was chanting his name in connection with the Ballon d'Or, he offered an embarrassed smile. He had nothing more to add. Hearing his response, I reflected on how much he had already said out on the pitch.

I view this particular half-hour spell as the culmination of a consistent run of contributions. In Turkey, he set up Kylian Mbappé’s goal before the latter was injured. In Brussels, he solved the riddle of the Belgian defense with a moment of individual brilliance, securing a 1-0 victory. Against Italy, he scored from a free-kick in a match that ended 1-1. Whatever the challenge, he found a way to make an impact.

With Mbappé injured and Dembélé falling short of expected levels of effectiveness, I believe Olise has effectively taken charge of the attack. The numbers reinforce this assessment: direct involvement in 22 goals across 29 international appearances, compared to Dembélé’s 19 in 71 caps. I acknowledge that statistics cannot capture a footballer's full worth; here, however, they clearly highlight the extent of his influence.

When Mbappé returns, I expect Zidane to face a difficult decision regarding the composition of the attack. Olise now has a strong case for his place in the lineup. The three wins and one draw marking the new manager's start bear his unmistakable imprint.

Ultimately, the image that stays with me is this: a player who is reserved in front of the cameras but dynamic and commanding in crucial moments. In the France team Zidane is beginning to build, Olise already seems indispensable to me.