MICHAEL OLISE is back in a Chelsea shirt after a ten-year absence.
And not, as the French federation claimed, wearing an Arsenal kit.
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The French squad wore the shirts of their first clubs for a brilliant team photo Credit: FFF
Olise, stood second from left in middle row, started out at Chelsea Credit: FFF TV
Before Blues fans get too excited, Bayern Munich winger Olise was taking part in a heartwarming stunt with fellow members of France’s World Cup squad and backroom staff.
Each individual donned the shirt of their first club as a kid.
Although Olise did have a very brief spell in the Arsenal academy, Chelsea were his first proper club.
He joined the Blues at the age of seven, staying seven years before moves to Manchester City and then Reading.
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In the photograph published by the FFF, Olise is seen wearing a Chelsea top.
But in the text on the FFF website, his first club is listed as Arsenal.
France’s Premier League stars showed off their original colours, too.
Arsenal defender William Saliba wore the shirt of AS Bondy, the club where his dad coached Kylian Mbappe at the start of the French captain’s career.
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The FFF listed Olise’s first club as Arsenal instead of Chelsea Credit: FFF
Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne began at US Mareuil-sur-Ourcq and Manchester City star Rayan Cherki at AS Saint-Priest.
Crystal Palace pair Maxence Lacroix and Jean-Philippe Mateta recalled their days at AS Croquants Limeyrat and Olympique Sevran, respectively.
Ahead of their opening game against Senegal, the FFF posted the photo on social media, adding: “Tomorrow, our 26 French players and their staff will begin their journey in the 2026 World Cup.
“But none of them have forgotten where their passion for football was born.
“Together they pay tribute to their first club, the place where it all began.”
France boss Didier Deschamps joined in by wearing an Aviron Bayonnais top, along with his staff and federation president Philippe Diallo.
