Michael Olise’s Bizarre Admission Sheds Light on His Crystal Palace Farewell
Michael Olise, now dazzling at Bayern Munich, recently made a startling revelation about his final match for Crystal Palace that speaks volumes about his mindset. The 23-year-old winger, who swapped Selhurst Park for the Allianz Arena in a £50.8m move in July 2024, admitted to an unusual pre-game ritual before his last appearance for the Eagles—a 5-0 thrashing of Aston Villa in May 2024.
In a candid interview, Olise confessed he spent the night before the game binge-watching anime, staying up until the early hours. “I was up till like 3 a.m. watching Attack on Titan. Didn’t even think about the match,” he said, chuckling. This laid-back approach, while bizarre for a professional athlete on the cusp of a career-defining transfer, underscores Olise’s unique ability to stay relaxed under pressure. His performance that day—scoring twice and assisting once—proved his unorthodox preparation didn’t hinder his brilliance.
Olise’s admission paints a picture of a player who thrived at Palace despite the weight of expectations. His 10 goals and 6 assists in just 19 Premier League games during the 2023-24 season cemented his status as a star, yet his casual demeanor off the pitch contrasts sharply with his electrifying displays. Palace fans, while heartbroken by his departure, can’t help but admire the authenticity of a player who never pretended to be anything he wasn’t.
The revelation also hints at Olise’s confidence in his abilities. Knowing Bayern Munich loomed, he didn’t feel the need to overprepare, trusting his talent to shine through. This mindset has carried over to Germany, where he’s already notched 16 goals and 17 assists in 49 games, earning the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award for 2025.
For Crystal Palace, Olise’s exit was a blow, but his quirky farewell adds a layer of charm to his legacy. As the Eagles search for the “next Olise,” like Sunderland’s Chris Rigg or Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis, fans will remember a player who left an indelible mark—both on the pitch and in their hearts.
