Melvin Bard: Nice’s Resilient Left-Back Proves His Worth

Melvin Bard, Nice’s left-back, has consistently demonstrated his value despite facing numerous challenges. For two consecutive seasons, he had to compete against players who were brought in not just as competition, but as potential replacements. During the 2022/23 season, Joe Bryan was loaned to the club, raising doubts about Bard’s ability to fulfill his potential. However, Bard rose to the occasion, improving his performance and maintaining his starting position under both Lucien Favre and Didier Digard.

Despite his efforts, Nice’s management still seemed uncertain about Bard’s capabilities as their primary left-back. In the summer of 2023, the club once again prioritized recruiting for this position, with Lucas Digne reportedly being a target. Had Digne joined, it likely would have significantly impacted Bard’s career trajectory. Instead, Romain Perraud arrived on loan from Southampton.

Undeterred, Bard outperformed Perraud, just as he had done with Bryan, appearing in 34 matches across all competitions. As a key player in Ligue 1’s strongest defense last season, Bard attracted interest from Manchester United and was even briefly considered for the French national team.

Bard expressed his ambition for a national team call-up, stating, “Joining the France squad would be the ultimate achievement. It’s every footballer’s dream. I work towards this goal daily, but I’m not in a rush. I’m having a good season, and I need to maintain this level.”

This summer, Nice’s priorities shifted, and recruiting a full-back was no longer a pressing concern. Although Ali Abdi was signed, he offers a different skill set and is not a direct replacement for Bard.

Under new manager Franck Haise, Bard has showcased his versatility by playing as both a wing-back and a left-center-back. While Abdi may offer more in attack, Bard’s adaptability and defensive prowess have secured his prominent role in the team – a position he has fought hard to earn and maintain.