Olise to Bayern: How will it impact Crystal Palace?

Adrian Clarke looks at how Michael Olise's move to Bayern Munich will impact Crystal Palace.

Player analysis: Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)

Following Olise’s move to German giants Bayern Munich, Palace have a major hole to fill.

The 22-year-old winger scored 10 goals and provided six assists in only 19 Premier League appearances across 2023/24.

It was an incredible return, especially considering he started just 14 matches, missing half the season with a string of hamstring injuries.

When fit, his level of productivity was not surpassed by any other top-flight performer, confirming his status as one of the division’s elite attacking players.

Most PL goals & assists per 90 in 23/24

Left-footed brilliance

The young Frenchman has one of the most masterful left foots in European football, so head coach Oliver Glasner will not find it easy to replace a player of his mercurial ability.

Creatively, Olise even outshone Eberechi Eze last season, cutting inside from the right to tease and torment defenders before shooting at goal, or laying on chances for others.

In just about every relevant category for players in his position, he was Palace’s most influential player, ranking in the Premier League’s top 10 in most of them too.

Olise attacking influence 2023/24

*Min. 500 mins played

Olise’s ball carrying will also be missed.

Playing in behind Jean-Philippe Mateta in a 3-4-2-1 formation, he and Eze ran with the ball so smoothly, ranking sixth (Eze) and seventh (Olise) for the highest number of successful dribbles per 90 minutes.

Finding an imaginative replacement who can break the lines with the ball will be a priority for Glasner.

Over the course of 2023/24, Olise consistently elevated Palace’s performance levels.

Benefiting from his quality on the ball, they scored twice as many goals when he started.

Averaging 1.78 points in those Olise starts, Palace would in theory have collected 67 or 68 points across a 38-match season if he had stayed fit.

This would have been enough to secure fifth place ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.

Olise's impact 23/24

Perfect for Glasner’s attacking style

Glasner’s decision to use Olise in a slightly more central position, coming in from the right wing to a right-sided No 10 role, suited all parties.

Revelling in the half-spaces where he was elusive to pick up, Olise got himself into goalscoring areas on a regular basis.

A stellar individual display in the 4-0 home win over Manchester United showcased how this change of role had a positive impact on Olise's goal threat, scoring twice from six shots.

Overall, he netted four times and produced three assists in only six starts under Glasner.

This chalkboard of his passes and shots in that home victory against United illustrates the areas where he caused them so much damage.

Key: Green squares=successful passes, red squares=unsuccessful passes, green circles=goals, blue circles=shots

When Olise featured under Glasner from April onwards, it signalled a major upturn in the side’s form.

Averaging more than three goals a match, the Eagles finished the campaign in scintillating fashion.

Olise is not solely responsible for that magnificent run, but he was undeniably influential.

Crystal Palace under Glasner 23/24

Who might Glasner target?

With an attacking right-wing back in place in Daniel Munoz to provide consistent width, Palace will likely target a wide player who is happy operating on the inside, just as Olise did.

The 3-4-2-1 shape does not really suit out-and-out wingers, so a left-footer is likely to be on Glasner’s wish list.

Palace signed former Lazio winger Daichi Kamada on 1 July, who previously worked under Glasner at Eintracht Frankfurt, while Sunderland’s Jack Clarke and 19-year-old Norway international Antonio Nusa have also been linked with a move to Selhurst Park this summer.

They fit the profile in many respects, but neither would consider themselves a left-footer.

This is why it could make sense for Palace to make a move for north London-born Marcus Edwards, who has been outstanding for Sporting Lisbon in recent seasons.

The former Spurs Academy star has a brilliant left foot, and loves to either play as a No 10 or off the right, cutting infield.

His style and output matches well with Olise’s according to Fbref.com, so do not be surprised if he is on sporting director Dougie Freedman’s shortlist.

Edwards/Olise comparison 23/24*

*Stats from FBREF

Glasner’s aggressive, attacking 3-4-2-1 tactical imprint was a huge success at Palace towards the end of 2023/24, and he is almost certain to continue with the same approach.

Finding someone who can influence his starting XI as dramatically as Olise will not be easy, but Glasner will surely identify a player with many of the same attributes.