Michael Olise’s potential is ‘frightening’ – Crystal Palace veteran on summer transfer window capture
Joel Ward has said that it’s frightening what Michael Olise brings to Crystal Palace and has tipped the 19-year-old for a bright future in the game.
Hayes-born Olise has featured seven times under Patrick Vieira after joining in the summer following the South Londoners triggering an £8million release clause from Reading.
Olise has made three goal contributions in his last five games, coming off the bench to score his first Premier League goal against Leicester, and assisting Odsonne Edouard in the 2-2 draw away at Arsenal and Conor Gallagher in the 2-0 win at Manchester City.
Ward told PLP: “There’s some competition within every position out there. There’s some real excitement around the place in terms of players coming in, coming out and coming on in the game. We have got a lot of strength in depth, which we haven’t always had.
“Looking at the past years, we haven’t been able to turn and look to players who are going to come on and change the game or shore up the game. To have that now is a luxury. Everyone is on their toes, ready to go, and chomping at the bit.
“It’s a different dynamic. You can bring on Michael, who is full of flair and end product. He has got a very, very bright future ahead of him from what we have seen, and it’s only early days – he’s still kind of bedding in – but what he brings to the team is frightening.
“It’s exciting, and if we continue to move in the direction that we want to move, then it’s something to look out for.”
Ward, who is in his ninth season at Selhurst Park, signed a new two-year deal in the summer and has played every minute of the season under the three-time Premier League winner Vieira.
“I am in a position in my career where I just want to enjoy my football, and I’m doing that – I’m relishing it really,” said Ward on winning the club’s October Player of the Month award.
“Every challenge I come up against, every game I am looking forward to, and it’s a really good position to be in.
“I just want to have fun and enjoy it, and feel like I can go out there and give a good account of myself and can hold my hands up and say that I’ve given everything.”
The Eagles were six unbeaten prior to the international break, winning and keeping clean sheets in their previous two games against Manchester City and Wolves – breaking into the top 10 of the Premier League.
Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Turf Moor to take on Sean Dyche’s Burnley, Ward said: “We know the difficulties and the threats that they’re going to possess. It’s difficult with the international break to really nail everything down, but now that everyone is back, we can make sure that our focus is solely on Burnley and how we can impose ourselves on them, as well as stopping their threats.
“They’re brilliant at what they do. They make it difficult for opponents, and that will be difficult for us as well – it’s going to be a battle. We’re going to have to make sure that we’re on the top of our game to make sure we implement what we want to do and to make sure that we control what we can.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD