OGC Nice may have only finished fifth in Ligue 1 this season, but they had the division’s meanest defense with only 29 goals conceded, four better than title-winners PSG. In fact, Nice had the fourth most non-nicest defense in all of Europe’s top leagues.
A big part of that record — figuratively and literally, standing 199cm tall — has been goalkeeper Marcin Bułka, whose name we might (should) remember since he was on our Academy books for three years, between 2016 and 2019, ages 15-18. But he never got to feature for the first-team, and after we spent a (still) world record amount on Kepa Arrizabalaga, he chose to let his contract expire and join PSG. Turns out that move was a bit too soon and he would play just twice for them, but he finally got his chance to be a first-choice this season, and the results on the pitch speak for themselves.
With Nice bound for the Europa League, and with just two years left on his contract, Bułka’s looking for a healthy payrise. According to L’Equipe (via GFFN), Nice aren’t quite getting to the level he wants, which is where supposed interest from Chelsea and AC Millan come in. Would getting Bułka back make sense? He’s not exactly known for his ball-playing skills, which is expected to be a priority for new head coach Enzo Maresca. But he’s certainly a tremendous shot-stopper, a hoover of crosses, and a fiend for clean sheets. We could do worse.