Gary Lineker has now commented on the situation involving Michael Olise at Crystal Palace.
The 63-year-old shared his thoughts when speaking on BBC Match of the Day.
So, what did Gary Lineker say about Michael Olise and Crystal Palace? Let’s take a look…
What Lineker said about Olise
Well, the BBC Match of the Day host was speaking about Roy Hodgson’s bizarre decision to introduce the Crystal Palace No.7 against Brighton.
For those unaware of the situation, Olise was substituted on in place of Jeffrey Schlupp at half-time as Crystal Palace were 3-0 down to Brighton on Saturday.
That happened despite the fact the France U21 international had only just hobbled off the pitch with an injury against Sheffield United on Tuesday.
It was an incredibly naive thing of Hodgson to do with the game effectively already lost, and – according to the Daily Mail – Olise now faces two months on the sidelines.
Speaking about the situation alongside Jermaine Jenas and Micah Richards, Lineker said: “I am trying to get my head around it. So, the medical side said he’s okay, but he’s not okay to play a whole game.
“If you’ve tweaked a hamstring four days before, you are not fit. To then actually put him on when they’re 3-0 down and the game is gone, it just doesn’t make any sense.”
If Lineker can understand something so simple, why can’t Hodgson?
Crystal Palace in real trouble
Without Olise scoring and securing wins against Brentford and Sheffield United recently, we would be 18th in the Premier League on 18 points.
Now – with the Londoner potentially out until April – alarm bells are starting to ring at Selhurst Park amid a run of just two wins in 14 outings.
Hodgson has a leaky defence on his hands, and also a frontline who seem incredibly dependant on Olise or Eberechi Eze doing something magical to score goals.
Unless something drastic happens – whether that be a managerial change, or chances for the likes of Matheus Franca and Naouirou Ahamada – relegation is a real possibility.
