Monaco’s relegation to Ligue 2 started a fire sale of their best assets. Stephane Ruffier moved to Saint-Etienne for a cut-price deal, Nicolas Nkoulou moved across to Marseille and the impressive Benjamin Moukandjo swapped the principality for Tomblaine and AS Nancy.
One player who moved without much of a fan fare was 21-year old Frédéric Bulot. Caen Coach Frank Dumas was looking to replace forward Youssef El-Arabi and midfielder Yohan Mollo and looks to have found an answer for both in one swoop.
It’s coincidence that Bulot played in the same team as Mollo when their Monaco team won the CFA in 2008. That team consisting of Nkoulou, Mollo, Bulot and Cedric Mongongu was meant to be the security of Monaco’s future but all four had to move on once they dropped down last summer.
Playing mostly as a sub in Monaco’s poor season Bulot now had the platform to show the potential and continue to develop for club and country.
As his team made an excellent start, the Gabon born midfielder was still finding his feet and his performances were modest at least. Caen started with wins against Valenciennes and Sochaux and even though they were beaten at home against Lille in Week Three the performance had reasons to be cheerful.
Settling in nicely to Franck Dumas’ 4-2-3-1 Bulot was making the left midfield position his own, while Dumas would experiment with who to play upfront and in the space behind he would constantly pick Bulot on the left and Romain Hamouma on the right. Hamouma started the season in great form but in recent weeks it has been Bulot rising to the occasion.
Scoring in the 3-2 defeat to Rennes, he then was vital in Caen’s 1-0 win at home over Lyon. Next up was an away trip to Evian. In recent times this would be an instant defeat for Caen. Beating one of Ligue 1’s top teams usually followed with a defeat in a winnable match-up. Brought on with 30 minutes left and the scored level at 2-2 it would be Bulot’s quality that would split the two sides.
Breaking down the left he charged into the box, showing the defender inside he used his fast feet to bring the ball back on his left and beat Stephane Andersen at his near past with a low and accurate strike. He then turned provider as his pace found him some space on the left, a deft touch with his left foot set up Kandia Traore and the striker found the finish. An inspired performance from an inspired substitution.
As far as his impact on a game-to-game basis is concerned Bulot is not a constant threat, but what he does he does very well. His pace down the left is, however, a constant threat; there is an obvious ability in his left foot. So far he only averages 1.4 shots per game, but he leads Caen with 1.3 key passes per match.
For someone that only averages 27 passes per game his succession rate of 79.6% needs to improve. With five assists to his name it shows the accuracy of his passes when he only averages 1.1 accurate cross per match.
The stats may not jump out at you, though his performances on the pitch are very noticeable. Ending October with two assists against PSG at the Parc des Princes he then started November with a WhoScored.com Man of the Match performance against Dijon.
A delightful turn and finished showcased the skill and balance possessed by the winger and his cheeky dinked cross set up Pierre-Alain Frau for Caen’s third and capped off an excellent performance from Bulot.
Caen and Bulot’s excellent form has not gone unnoticed. After working his way up the French national ranks, his appearances from the Under 16, 17, 18, and 19 teams were upped a level this season as Erick Mombaerts gave Bulot his first U21 caps.
Out of France’s five games for the 2013 European Championship qualifiers Bulot has played in four games, starting three of them. This month against Romania and Slovakia he really showed he belonged at this level and currently is keeping Lorient midfielder Gilles Sunu out of the side.
Last season Caen survived in Ligue 1 only on the last day of the season, so it seems a little unfair that their position of 9th after 14 games has gone virtually unnoticed by the French media.
Coach Dumas has them set up in an exciting free flowing style. Only Rennes, Montpellier and PSG have scored more goals than the Normandy side. Fans visiting the Stade Michael d’Orano have been treated to some excellent football at times.
Twelve of Caen’s goals have come from open play much due to the fast break, attacking play of Hamouma and Bulot. Perhaps the wide players could add a little defensive cover and help the vulnerable back line.
Bulot averages 0.7 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game not the best for a player in his position and could have some bearing on the 21 goals Caen have let in this season; only four teams have conceded more.
His average rating of 6.79 shows the inconsistencies of a player his age; the 3 goals and 5 assists shows the talent and potential he has in his future.
If he continues to grow and develop it won’t be long till Caen has their first French International since Steve Savidan in 2008.
