Michael Olise: From academy struggles to proving himself world-class with Bayern Munich brilliance

It would be oversimplifying things to say that Olise hasn’t looked back since breaking into the Reading first team, because there have been other obstacles to overcome in the interim. He wasn’t immediately propelled to the pinnacle of his profession.

Olise had to prove himself in the Premier League with Crystal Palace before vindicating Bayern’s decision to spend €60 million (£50.8 million) on a player who had been plagued by muscular issues the season before.

He’s done all that, and more. Harry Kane may be considered the current favourite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or yet there was, quite literally, no better player in Germany last season than Olise, who then went to the World Cup and claimed an assist record previously held by Pele.

And it’s not like integrating into the France squad came without its challenges either, given he was far from fluent when he first started lining out for les Bleus – which was hardly ideal for an innately introverted character.

As Rayan Cherki said before the World Cup, Olise is “a guy who loves being on his own” – and yet he’s adored by his team-mates, and his coaches.

“Нe has his own way of looking at the game and life,” former France Under-23s coach Henry told CBS Sports earlier this year. “That’s why sometimes, off the pitch, people don’t understand him. But he’s a pleasant guy, a great guy. He doesn’t say much off the field, but when he has the ball, he communicates very well through his play.”

Olise, who is infamously awkward in interviews, has admitted himself that he’s always been a firm believer in letting his feet do the talking for him – which is obviously rooted in his experiences as an oft-misunderstood maverick operating within the academy system.

“Sometimes people don’t think about it being hard for players who are supremely talented because that can also come with its own difficulties,” Conlon told The Guardian. “It’s not been a perfect journey for Michael but I think that has benefited him.

“He might be a little bit quiet but he’s humble and very polite. I’ve heard some of his teammates referring to him as the rock star. He has got something very unique about his persona.”

Olise is certainly different, on and off the field. And the best part is that given he’s still only 24, this really could be just the start. His best might yet be to come.