Chelsea can use Bakayoko as leverage for Bulka’s return

Chelsea wants to offload Tiemoue Bakayoko and bring in a keeper, so why not a swap deal?

Bakayoko has struggled to find his footing in the Chelsea squad ever since his arrival. After a series of loans, the Frenchman ends up back at Stamford Bridge with a future as unclear as when he departed. Because of the financial impact of COVID-19, Monaco could not afford to buy Bakayoko.

This presents an opportunity for Paris Saint-Germain to secure the signature of a player the French giants have had their eyes on for years. PSG is interested, but maybe not for the fee Chelsea is proposing. The Blues need a keeper and fortunately, a familiar face is on PSG’s roster. A swap deal would be mutually beneficial to all parties in this instance.

Marcin Bulka left Chelsea due to lack of first team appearances. Realistically, he had no clear path to break through on the back of Kepa Arrizabalaga’s recent purchase either. He joined PSG at the beginning of this season, but has only appeared once for the French Champions. It’s likely the 20-year-old looks elsewhere for playtime following the end of his deal as he has just one-year left with PSG.

Arrizabalaga’s future looks uncertain in west London. The Blues have been shopping around elsewhere, but the financial impact of Coronavirus will limit the amount of players available on the market and their prices. If Chelsea can guarantee a legitimate shot to Bulka, bringing the Poland international back to the Bridge is a smart piece of business.

First and foremost, Bulka represents one of the cheapest options for goalkeeping competition and is better than the academy alternatives. He is often regarded as one of the most talented young keepers in Europe. While he may not necessarily be ready for first team football week in and week out, he’s worth the gamble. Spending a year under the likes of Willy Caballero and alongside Arrizabalaga would help Bulka grow his game. Sporadic Premier League appearances and a majority of cup game starts should be enough to convince the 20-year-old to come back, especially with the way Lampard has treated youth.

Including Bulka in a deal with some cash for Bakayoko would make sense for all involved parties. Bakayoko would get to go back to France and have the chance to make an impact in the middle of the park in the capital. Further, Bulka would be given the opportunity to prove himself after years of riding the bench. PSG would get a defensive midfielder to help strengthen play at the back and Chelsea could challenge Arrizabalaga without spending on the market.

Bringing in Bulka prevents Chelsea from wondering ‘what if?’ years down the road. He can’t be the one who got away if the Blues give him a legitimate shot to shine in goal and bringing him in provides the same opportunity for Arrizabalaga. A fair shot is all these talented keepers want, it’s financially responsible, the Blues can make it happen.