According to Express, Leeds United are interested in the services of Michael Olise. The Reading FC midfielder has been identified as one of Marcelo Bielsa’s top-four targets as the Argentine looks to strengthen his squad this summer. However, the Whites could face stiff competition from Celtic in the pursuit of Olise, whose contract at Reading expires in 2022.
Michael Olise: A Rising Star In Championship
Olise originally stems from the Chelsea youth academy before he moved to Reading in 2015. He gradually rose to the top, in the youth levels before gaining promotion to the senior side last summer.
Although Olise didn’t make an immediate impact, the young midfielder became an ever-present figure in Reading’s starting eleven since February. The stoppage in football due to Coronavirus did stifle his progress. But, the 18-year-old ended the campaign on a strong note, mustering a total of 19 league appearances while helping his team achieve a mid-table finish.
As far as his gameplay is concerned, Olise is a gifted central midfielder who loves to attack. He is blessed with quick-feet and a rather short 1.76m frame that allows him to retain his balance when taking on defenders. It makes for a player who can squeeze through tight spaces at will, with the youngster notably averaging 1.5 successful dribbles per game this past season.
Another key asset in Olise’s game is his excellent passing range. The Reading FC starlet is capable of delivering long diagonal passes from deeper areas of the pitch. But more importantly, he can provide clever through balls and create chances in the final third.
As a result, Olise is now considered to be one of the rising stars in Championship, and there is no wonder why clubs like Leeds United and Celtic are already keen on securing his services this summer.
Is Olise a viable target for Leeds United?
Olise’s style of play suggests that he is a creative midfield player like Pablo Hernandez, which is enough to make him an appealing proposition for Leeds United.
The Whites are desperate to find some creativity from the middle of the park, especially with the trusted Hernandez nearing the final phase of his career. And someone as talented as Elise could undoubtedly make for an ideal piece of business from the newly-promoted Premier League side.
Indeed, the 18-year-old’s ability to drift past defenders at will, combined with his technical prowess could be ideally suited to Bielsa’s tactical philosophy. He can potentially build an excellent partnership alongside someone like Kalvin Phillips and can also be considered as an alternative to Mateusz Klich.
However, it remains to be seen whether or not the Reading starlet can make his name in the Premier League. Also, it will be interesting to see how much Reading FC demands for the services of their star player as the Whites surely can’t overpay, having already secured five signings so far this summer.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
