Gareth Southgate teases future England call-up for Michael Olise
- Gareth Southgate reveals England are monitoring Michael Olise
- Crystal Palace star was left out of France squad for Euro 2024
- London-born player is still eligible to play for Three Lions
Gareth Southgate has revealed that England are monitoring Michael Olise after the Crystal Palace star was left out of France's squad for Euro 2024.
The winger has featured for France at different junior levels but will not be on the plane to Germany this summer, despite enjoying a successful end to the season with Palace.
His success has caught the attention of many top managers, including Southgate, who may consider bringing him to England.
The winger was born in England, London to be precise, to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, meaning he is eligible to play for all four national teams. So far, Olise, who was also raised in England, has only represented France at Under-18 and Under-21 level. At 22, he is still young enough to go to the Olympics with Les Bleus this summer without requiring a designated overage player spot.
But Olise wouldn't be locked in until he plays a competitive senior international.
Southgate was quizzed on Olise after he named his preliminary Euro 2024 squad on Wednesday.
He said: "[Olise] would have to have a transfer of association. That process would take quite a while. He is obviously a very good player, he hasn't made their [France's] 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."
Palace were represented well in Southgate's 33-player squad, with Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, Marc Guehi and Dean Henderson all making the list.
The south London side welcomed new manager Oliver Glasner in February, after parting ways with Roy Hodgson for the second time. Quickly, Glasner brought success back to Selhurst Park, leading them to seven wins and three draws during his 13 games in charge.
It didn't take long for Olise to flourish under the Austrian coach, finishing with 10 goals and six assists in 19 appearances during the campaign. He was greatly missed during Palace's opening league games, with the 22-year-old making his first outing of the season in November.