According to a recent report by the Daily Mail, Premiership side Celtic are said to have placed Reading attacker Michael Olise on to their list of transfer targets for the upcoming summer window. The report suggests that the former Chelsea youth ace has impressed with his displays for the lower league English club this season and that the Celts have now added the French U-18 international’s name to their summer wish-list.
Celtic Add Michael Olise To Summer Wish-List: What Has He Achieved So Far?
18-year-old French attacker Michael Olise was formerly a member of the Chelsea youth system until he moved on to join the Reading academy’s scholarship program back in the summer of 2015. Since that switch though, the youngster’s development as a player has taken place at a rapid pace, and he’s now even made a name for himself within the confines of the Madejski Stadium.
Although Olise started the current league campaign playing for Reading’s development side in PL2, he was soon drafted into the first-team picture and went on to become a regular feature there as well. At just 18, the youngster made all of ten appearances in the Championship this season and even managed to notch up an assist for all his efforts. While the youngster was given a small taste of the big time last season as well, it wasn’t until this term that he got a proper run out.
What Would Michael Olise Add To This Celtic Side?
The Frenchman is an attacking midfielder by position but is more than comfortable playing across various areas in the front-line. Despite this versatility, it’s worth conceding that the youngster is undoubtedly at his best when operating as the number ten, providing direct support to the centre-forward. While that is the case, the fact that Olise is more than capable of playing in central midfield as well will definitely come as good news to the manager.
The youngster is an excellent passer of the ball in the attacking sense, while the 18-year-old’s general positioning in the middle of the park tends to be impressive too. The Frenchman’s most significant selling point though is undoubtedly his dribbling abilities.
Olise is adept at turning past challenges with ease, and he often brings out the tricks while on the pitch as well. The fact that the youngster has succeeded at Championship level being just 18 highlights just how much potential Olise possesses.
Is This A Smart Move By Lennon?
The Celts are set to lose the services of a variety of attack-minded players this summer owing to their contract situations and could have to spend some money in the transfer market to maintain the level of football from last season.
If in fact, they do decide to splurge during the window, it would make sense for the Celts to spend their money on a young player with massive potential. Central midfield isn’t necessarily an area of immediate concern for Lennon, but the fact that Olise can play in a slightly more advanced role will be an attractive aspect for the gaffer.
