Crystal Palace midfield sensation Michael Olise has decided to pitch his tent with the senior national team of England after talks with head coach Gareth Southgate.
Olise who was called up by Nigeria one year ago but didn’t honour the invitation has been one of the revelation of the season for Crystal Palace in the English Premier League with two goals and five assists in 18 games.
His performance in what is his first session in the English top flight following his transfer from Reading last summer hasn’t gone unnoticed and it has sparked a tug of war for his international future.
Born in London to a Nigerian father and an French-Algerian mother, Olise is eligible for four countries in England, France, Algeria and Nigeria but he has only played for France at U18 level and that was three years ago.
He was leaning towards a move to play for Algeria before holding talks with Southgate and it is believed that only a move from France to cap him at senior level will deter him from playing for England.
What he wants is assurances and the role he will play in the English team and it appears Southgate successfully convinced him to be a part of the future of the English team. The English FA were also represented in the talks.