So far, this international break hasn't had many positives. A number of big-name players have gotten injured while representing their countries in what are basically bona fide friendlies, and their injuries could completely derail their clubs' season. For Bayern fans, it's been a pretty uneventful international break, with the German national team not impressing right off the bat; there isn't much to discuss when it comes to Bayern, except when it comes to Michael Olise.
Off the back of his red-hot start to the club season, the Frenchman has kept his form going for the French National Team, and after just three games, has already made himself one of Zinedine Zidane's go-to guys.
Olise has already bagged eight goals and four assists through seven games for Bayern and has grabbed two goals and one assist through the three games of the international break so far. With Kylian Mbappe having to leave the France camp with an injury, Zidane needed someone to step up and fill his place, and Olise has done just that. After a standout performance at the World Cup this summer, Olise is continuing to show why he should be of the same importance to France as Kylian Mbappe.
Michael Olise is stealing the show for Zidane's France
France are ushering in a new era at the national team with Zidane in charge, with many initially questioning where Olise would fit in Zidane's system, with Olise playing primarily as a number 10 at the World Cup. Zizou has gone back to basics, using Olise in his preferred right-wing position and getting the best out of him, which is good for both the national team as well as Bayern.
Bayern have big goals on their mind this season, none bigger than getting their hands back on the Champions League trophy for the first time since 2020, and having Olise playing in the form he's playing in now could guide the Germans back to the top of the European mountain. Harry Kane and Luis Diaz have gotten off to somewhat slow starts to the season, but for Bayern to be able to rely on Olise to get goals when Kane isn't is a major boost for the team.
Olise looks extra motivated and determined this season to show that he is one of the best players in the world and should be one of the top contenders for the Ballon d'Or. It's neck and neck right now between Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane for the award, but Olise shouldn't be dismissed as a strong contender. The Frenchman had 22 goals and 31 assists in 52 appearances last season, far better numbers than Yamal, and showed up in the big games for Bayern when the team needed him.
The Frenchman has been one of the most consistent players over the last two years, so to see him get off to such a strong start to the season really isn't surprising to anyone. We're still in the early days of the season, but after getting snubbed for the Ballon d'Or for the 25/26 season, Olise seems determined to make sure the award is his for the 26/27 season.
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