Merson ‘shocked’ by Chelsea transfer snub and pundit sends clear warning to £35m former target
Pundit Paul Merson is “shocked” that Crystal Palace attacker Michael Olise decided to snub Chelsea and sign a new contract with the Eagles.
Olise was one of the major breakout stars in the Premier League last season as he grabbed 11 assists for Crystal Palace as they successfully avoided relegation under Roy Hodgson.
The Eagles have already lost Wilfried Zaha this summer and Cheick Doucoure is being targeted by Liverpool. Prior to his U-turn, it looked likely that Olise would have followed them out of the London club this summer.
The former Reading academy product has been targeted by Manchester City and Chelsea this summer. A move to Mauricio Pochettino’s side looked set to be completed after they triggered his £35m release clause.
But talks between the two Premier League clubs broke down after Crystal Palace accused Chelsea of tapping-up Olise and the attacker has now penned a new four-year contract.
This is a huge boost for Crystal Palace, who will now be relying on Olise and Eberechi Eze in the absence of Zaha. But Merson has warned Olise that he may regret not moving on “while the sun is shining” on his career.
“I was shocked,” Merson told Sky Sports when asked if Olise’s decision was expected. “It might have been because he was at Chelsea before that could’ve been the reason.”
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“But for me, the whole idea is to move up the ladder surely you got to make hay while the sun shines. 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 was available on a free transfer who was going to have him? He couldn’t go back to Man Utd, will 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. I hope the kid has got it right.”
During his press conference on Friday, Pochettino gave a brief response when he was asked about the Olise deal falling through.
“We are working of course. Seeing all of the options we can manage on the market,” Pochettino told reporters.
“I think at the same time, we are keeping one or two eyes on Armando Broja. We cannot forget him, we cannot stop him. We really believe in him. He can be a really important striker for Chelsea and we need to be careful.
“It’s a big disappointment, the situation with Christoph to help Nico Jackson to score goals but that is football and we need to accept that situation.”
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