PROFILE | For Chelsea, Marcin Bulka is the No.1 that got away
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Marcin Bulka has always found patience in short supply. Coming through at Cobham, chances to break into the first-team at Chelsea would be limited. The wait to establish himself would have been long, perhaps even interminable and he had the lucidity to recognise that.
That is what saw him swap Chelsea for PSG. But a familiar problem awaited the Poland international at the Parc des Princes. Prospects there too were limited, especially after the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined PSG on a free transfer off the back of his heroics in Euro 2021. Conscious that he was – at best – third choice, with the ageing Keylor Navas ahead of him, as well as the (at the time) seemingly displaceable Donnarumma, the No.1 jersey at PSG looked nailed down for the decade. A move away was only logical.
And so he moved to OGC Nice. Competition was expected to be lighter, however, even here he found his game time limited to start with. He joined Le Gym on loan initially, making the move permanent in the summer of 2022, seemingly with the promise of finally wearing the No.1 jersey that he had long since coveted.
But that same summer, Kasper Schmeichel arrived and it was reported that he was given promises of his own. Orders from above, from INEOS more specifically, saw Schmeichel instated as the uncontested No.1. It was therefore another long season watching on from the sidelines for Bulka, whose wait for regular first-team action seemed interminable.
Bulka dethrones Schmeichel
Even in the summer of 2023, incoming manager Francesco Farioli had a decision to make. The Italian maintained the suspense until the final moments, refusing to reveal the identity of his No.1 for the season until he released his line-up on matchday one. He insisted that it was a tight call, one that he did not take lightly, but one that he conceded would have significant consequences for the one that missed out.
So it proved. Schmeichel dethroned, he made a hasty exit from the Allianz Riviera. Bulka finally had his chance and he grasped it with both gloves. He immediately showed Chelsea and PSG what they passed up on. He won the September Player of the Month in 2023 before going 78 days without conceding a goal for club and country, whilst keeping 10 clean sheets in his first 13 games of the season.
“In the space of four months, he went from a luxury substitute to one of the most watched goalkeepers in international football. He knows the level that he has to stay at,” said Farioli at the end of 2023. Boulka knew the level he had to maintain, and he maintained it. Nice qualified for the UEFA Europa League, finishing the season having conceded just 29 goals in Ligue 1, the best record in France’s top flight.
Bulka’s own stats told the story. His 77.1% save percentage was the fourth best in Ligue 1 and the ninth best in Europe’s top five divisions; he kept the most clean sheets in Ligue 1 (17) and the third most in Europe’s top five divisions; and he had the ninth best save percentage in Europe’s top five divisions. It was an emphatic season and one that announced himself to the world.
‘He is making up for that lost time’ – Farioli
It felt like a statement to PSG and to Chelsea but more than anything, he gave the aura of a man on a personal mission to make up for lost time. His is a path that contrasts starkly to that of former teammate Donnarumma. “The only difference (between Donnarumma and Bulka) is the number of games played,” began Farioli in a press conference back in March.
“Donnarumma had already played a huge amount of games by Marcin’s age, 350 I believe. It has been a slightly different path for Marcin but his progression is visible. What he needs now is experience and continuity and to develop as a leader. It is a question of time, not a long time, but he is making up for that lost time,” he added.
Bulka has been looking to confirm his rise this season. Statistically, this season is in some ways more impressive than the last. He has made the most saves (63) in Ligue 1 and the fourth most in Europe’s top five divisions; and he has the second best save percentage (79%) in Ligue 1 and the fourth best in Europe’s top five divisions.
However, those statistics also allude to the defensive issues facing Nice this season. Their defence is only the eighth best in Ligue 1 this season and Bulka is certainly more exposed and – to the eye – less imposing than he was last year. That, of course, is only based on the very high standards which he himself set.
Bulka’s Nice future uncertain
On the ball, he remains as composed as ever, unflustered even when pressed, rarely making the wrong decision and exhibiting a range of passing (10th in Ligue 1 for progressive passing distance). A key player over the last two seasons, there is, however, doubt surrounding his future at Nice.
The Poland international’s current deal runs until the end of next season, however, he has already rejected an extension proposal amid reports that he wants out. “All I can say is that I am very committed to Nice […] we are currently in talks so there are lots of things that can happen. You never know,” saidBulka, addressing his contract situation.
There is an argument to say that, regardless, Bulka is now ready for the next challenge. He has shown himself capable of wearing the No.1 jersey for one of Europe’s elite; he would certainly represent an improvement on Chelsea’s current goalkeeping options. From Kepa Arrizbalaga, to Edouard Mendy, and now Robert Sanchez, the Premier League side’s first-choice options have not impressed since Bulka left for 2019. It wasn’t meant to be for Bulka at Chelsea, but he is certainly the No.1 that got away.
