August 19th 2023.
Paul Merson was shocked when he heard that Michael Olise had turned down a move to Chelsea. The big-spending Blues had activated a complex release clause in the winger's contract earlier this week, and were looking to add the France Under-21 international to their exciting new-look squad.
However, Palace have announced that the player has committed his future to the Eagles by signing a new contract. Merson believes that Wilfried Zaha's career should have acted as a warning to Olise, and that he could end up regretting his decision.
Zaha had left Palace for Manchester United in the summer of 2013, but after struggling to make an impact at Old Trafford, he returned to Palace and eventually left on a free transfer to Galatasaray this summer. Merson expressed his surprise at the decision, suggesting that Olise should have taken this opportunity to move up the ladder.
Merson said, "Form can come and go very quickly, a couple of bad games here and there. We're talking about Zaha eight, nine, ten months ago, who was available on a free transfer. He couldn't go back to Man Utd, would Arsenal have him? Tottenham might take him if they don't? All of a sudden, no disrespect, he's playing at Galatasaray in the Turkish league and you're quite shocked."
Merson hopes that Olise has made the right decision, saying, "I hope the kid has got it right." He believes that the player should have taken his chance to move up the ladder, as opportunities like this don't come around too often.
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