Michael Olise on his style of play:
"I'd say it comes from street football. We'd play outside with my brother, kicking the ball against the wall, doing 1v1's, all that. I'd say it comes from there, yes. It's a different kind of football, but it's definitely a way to learn. Football, in those conditions, is just freedom. It wasn't learning in the strict sense either. I simply enjoyed playing football. I loved it, plain and simple. Well, I think everyone loves it when they're young."
• Are you nostalgic for those years?
Olise: "Yes, a little bit. When you're young, you play football. You have fun, you don't think about anything. So yes, of course, a bit. You play at all hours of the day. It's great."
• Did you enjoy the freedom that was offered to you back then?
Olise: "Yes. But I also learned a lot in the prestigious academies I played at, particularly at Chelsea and Manchester City."
• But today, that freedom is somewhat overshadowed by tactics. Do you need freedom on the pitch to express yourself?
Olise: "Yes, to some extent. It also depends on certain things, like how well the game is managed, for example. I think football is also about control. I mean, every coach has their own philosophy. Then you try to impose your style on the game, so that everything flows smoothly. When you play in a structure where you know where you're going, it makes my job a little easier too."
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