Gareth Southgate reveals why England have not approached Michael Olise for Euro 2024
Michael Olise could potentially play for France, England, Nigeria and Algeria (Shutterstock)
Gareth Southgate claims Michael Olise did not have enough time to switch international allegiance to England ahead of Euro 2024.
The Crystal Palace midfielder started just 14 Premier League games this season due to injury but has been one of the division’s standout performers with 10 goals and six assists.
The 22-year-old was born in London to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother and is eligible to play for all four nations.
He has made appearances for France at Under-18 and Under-21 level but has not featured for the senior side under Didier Deschamps.
Olise will now miss Euro 2024 altogether after he was not named in France’s squad, while Southgate admits England were unable to make a move in time.
‘He [Olise] would have to have a transfer of association,’ Southgate said.
‘That process would take quite a while.
‘He is obviously a very good player, he hasn’t made their squad. They might be taking him to the Olympics, I don’t know.
‘He is a player we should have an interest in because he is a very good player but there is no way you could do all of that in time for the Euros.’
England's provisional squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Man City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Man City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Meanwhile, Southgate insists Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who was a surprise inclusion in England’s provisional squad on Tuesday, is in contention to make the final cut for Euro 2024.
‘Everyone has a chance. There are some players that we wanted to see,’ Southgate said.
‘The reason for a longer squad, we were in a similar position in the last Euros and more time will help us make better decisions and give a better balance to the squad.
‘There are some injury issues that are very obvious and apparent and there are some where we don’t have the full information. We need to see some of them and see how they react to training.
‘It’s as complicated a squad as I can remember picking. We have time so I think this will help us make better decisions.’
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