Former Chelsea star touted for 'top European move'

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 13 Oct 2023 18:22 BST
  • 3 min read
Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea
© ProShots

Algeria forward Andy Delort believes that his former Nice team-mate Marcin Bulka will soon be playing for a top European club.

Delort, 33, joined Nice in 2021 and made 55 appearances for the club before leaving to sign for Nantes in January 2023 on an initial loan deal.

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He then joined Nantes on a permanent move this summer before signing for Qatari side Umm Salal SC just one week after he transferred to Nantes permanently.

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As for Bulka, 24, he has starred as Nice’s first-choice goalkeeper this season as Francesco Farioli’s side sit second in Ligue 1.

The Polish ‘keeper has only conceded four goals so far this term, which is the lowest of any goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues to have played in every available match.

He played second-fiddle to former Leicester City star Kasper Schmeichel last season and made just two Ligue 1 appearances all year. However, Schmeichel’s departure has given Bulka a chance to shine and he has not disappointed.

READ MORE: Arsenal & Man City join Barcelona in race for Belgian wonderkid

Marcin Bulka, Nice
© ProShots - Marcin Bulka, Nice

What has been said?

Delort, who played with Bulka during his short spell at Nice, has praised his former team-mate and believes he has what it takes to play at the highest level.

He told RMC Sport: “He impressed me at Nice. I trained with him every day and I think he’ll soon be playing for a top European club. He’s the strongest goalkeeper I’ve seen.”

Bulka actually has prior experience at a “top European club” thanks to three years spent on Chelsea’s books and three further seasons at Paris Saint-Germain.

He joined Chelsea’s U18 team back in 2016 and never made a first-team appearance for the Blues, despite impressing in the youth teams at Cobham.

His time at PSG wasn’t fruitful either, but Bulka did play for the Parisians on two occasions before being sold to Nice for €2 million in 2022 after a loan spell at the club.

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