'Olise's consistent threat a true rarity within the sport'published at 13:08
Alex Pewter
Fan writer
Michael Olise is a statistical outlier and a match-winner. Unsurprisingly, this isn't a new development.
His debut season in the Premier League was encouraging, with two goals and five assists. Yet, if there was a fear that his substitute appearances and limited minutes distorted his 90-minute contributions, that fear never materialised.
Olise has continued to increase his production year after year. Last season, he exceeded ten assists. In this, he stands at ten goals, in the equivalent of only 13.2 full matches.
There has been no easing back into form, even in an injury-hit season. Against players in his position, he currently stands in the 98th percentile for goals, 92nd for shots on target and 96th for shot-creating actions.
Nor has this been isolated to his time in south London. The then-teenager arrived from Reading off the back of a double-digit assist tally in the Championship, where he was already entrusted with the responsibility of taking set pieces.
So, what makes Olise different? With the speed of his development and the lack of any obvious growing pains or long barren spells, he's been a consistent threat for the entirety of his senior career - a true rarity within the sport.
English academy football produces many rough diamonds and ball-carriers, some of whom have their youth highlights lauded on social media before kicking a ball at a senior level. Olise has his highlight moments, too, but there's the sense that it's just a by product of his route to goal rather than an expression of flair or for attention. It's a means to an end.
On Saturday, Olise dismantled Wolverhampton Wanderers. What's remarkable is that for him, it wasn't even exceptional.
Alex Pewter, FYP podcast, external