‘That would be the Holy Grail’ – OGC Nice’s Melvin Bard working towards France call-up

Melvin Bard’s (23) position at OGC Nice has been perpetually called into question. At the end of the 2021/22 season, the left-back position was seen as an area to strengthen. Joe Bryan was brought in on loan from Fulham. Bryan failed to displace Bard before heading back to London, however, the left-back position was once again identified as an area for recruitment ahead of this season. This time, it was Romain Perraud who arrived at the Allianz Riviera, and once again Bard has retained his place, putting in the most impressive and consistent season of his career in the process. 

At club level, Bard has been continually tested, challenged, and even doubted. However, the Olympique Lyonnais youth product has always lived up to the challenge. Having truly consolidated his place in the Nice team this season, he has now set his sights higher, as he told Nice-Matin. 

“[A call-up to] the France squad would be the Holy Grail,” he told the local publication when questioned on his personal objectives. “It’s every footballer’s dream. You think about it, but you don’t focus on it. I work every day towards this objective. I am not in a hurry. I am having a good season and I will have to back it up, especially since there are some great players in the France squad. That pushes you to be better,” Bard added.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle