Michael Olise: Thierry Henry Opens Up on Decision to Invite Nigeria Target for Olympic Games

• France Olympic team coach Thierry Henry has disclosed Michael Olise's international stance having picked him for the Olympics
• The Crystal Palace star could represent France, England, Algeria and Nigeria at senior level and is highly sort after by the two African nations
• Olise was snubbed by Didier Deschamps for the 2024 European championship in Germany following a good season with Crystal Palace

Thierry Henry has disclosed the reason for selecting Nigeria and Algeria target Michael Olise in his preliminary squad for the Olympic Games in Paris later this year.

The Crystal Palace winger shockingly missed the France national team squad for the 2024 European Championship currently ongoing in Germany despite enjoying a good campaign.

The 22-year-old remains eligible to represent Nigeria through his father and Algeria through his mother.

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However, having represented Les Blues from junior level, the Chelsea target hopes to continue his international career with France despite having many options.

Thierry Henry's take on Olise

France U23 coach, Henry, disclosed that Olise wants to play for France hence the decision to include him in his squad for the Olympic Games.

“Patrick Vieira had already spoken to me first (about Olise). He told me a kid is not bad here and he wants to play for France," Henry said in a presser, as quoted by 13 Football.

"There is something that I would like to point out (…) We know very well that he has quite a few possibilities, we agree. But his desire to show that he wants to play for the France team must be underlined. Because if he was English, he would have already gone with the England team.”

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Olise has reported to camp as preparations begin for the multi-sport competition later this year.

The talented winger, who is attracting interest from several clubs, scored 19 goals and delivered 10 assists in the just-ended season, per Transfermarkt.

Olise snubbed by France's coach for Euros

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Nigeria were handed a lifeline in their pursuit of England-born winger Michael Olise.

The Crystal Palace forward was left out of France's squad for the European Championship in Germany this summer.

Despite being in red-hot form for the Eagles this season, he could not make France coach Didier Deschamps' final team for the tournament.