Munich, Germany – Michael Olise doesn’t compare himself to former Bayern Munich greats Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben but like them wants to “make history” and win many titles with the German top side.
Winger Olise, 25, arrived in summer from England’s Crystal Palace, and his style of play and impact soon led to the comparisons.
Olise named Ribery and Robben “outstanding personalities” and “absolute top players” in an interview published on Friday on the club website.
“I liked watching both of them when I was little. I think I’ve got a bit of something from both of them. When I cut inside from the right and then shoot, for example, that maybe has a similarity to Arjen Robben’s trick.
“But I don’t like comparing myself to others. I’m Michael, not Arjen or Franck.”
Ribery and Robben became Munich icons and won many titles, highlighted by the 2013 treble. Robben scored the winner in that year’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
London-born French international Olise has had a strong start in Munich with nine goals and assists each across all competitions for the Bundesliga leaders.
“I think I can be satisfied with my first few months. I want to keep improving, though, and produce top-level performances more consistently. I have the feeling there’s a lot more to come,” he said.
“I am working very hard on that every day because I don’t just want to win as many trophies as possible with FC Bayern – I want to step up in the big moments, make history with this team, leave a legacy. If that wasn’t my ambitions, I’d be in the wrong place.
“This mentality of always wanting to win is quite impressive, and is also the biggest difference to my previous club Crystal Palace. We were often the underdogs there – that’s never the case with Bayern!
“And the pressure here is very high because we really want to and must win every game. I like that, though. I feel that the pressure is making me a better player,” he said.
(dpa)