Hodgson admits Crystal Palace face a tough task of keeping Chelsea, Man City target Olise

Manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that Crystal Palace face a fight to keep hold of 2021 Super Eagles invitee Michael Olise beyond this summer.

Despite having three years left on his contract with the Eagles, the future of the France U21 international of Nigerian and Algerian descent is up in the air amid speculation linking him with moves to Chelsea and Manchester City.

Olise enjoyed a breakout season in 2022-2023, scoring against West Ham and Manchester United in the Premier League while producing eleven assists in 37 appearances.

The 21-year-old was tipped to be one of the stars of the 2023 European U21 Championship, netting against Norway before a hamstring injury ended his tournament after two matches. 

Manchester City have identified Olise as a possible replacement for Riyad Mahrez who recently moved to the Saudi Pro League, while Chelsea want to re-sign him after releasing him when he was a schoolboy. 

Hodgson admitted that Crystal Palace are in danger of losing Olise as clubs are attempting to lure the talented winger away from Selhurst Park. 

In quotes relayed by Metro, Hodgson said: "We have a fight on our hands to make sure he stays with us.

"We had two outstanding wingers who were almost the best in the league – Michael Olise on the right side and Wilf on the left. We don’t have Wilf anymore. Clubs are circling around Olise.

"We’ve lost five senior players from last season and brought one in – Jefferson Lerma; he’s good and we’re happy to have him in – but there is still that hole of five senior players in the squad, two of whom were two of the real stars of the team."

Olise joined Crystal Palace from Reading for a fee of eight million pounds in July 2021.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: cpfc.co.uk

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