When Sonia Bompastor first spotted Melvine Malard at France's national football academy in Clairefontaine, she saw more than just a promising young talent. She saw a future star. That was in 2014, and Malard, then 14, had traveled from Reunion Island, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, to participate in a tournament. Bompastor, a two-time Champions League winner and Lyon's head of youth development at the time, was watching from the sidelines. She was immediately impressed and persuaded Malard to move to mainland France.
A Life-Changing Decision
Convincing Malard's mother to allow her daughter to move nearly 6,000 miles away was not easy. Bompastor recalls the responsibility she felt. "The main thing for her mum in that phone call was she knew she could trust me as a manager but also as a woman," she says. For Malard, the transition was tough. She was close to her family and struggled with Lyon's cold winters, a stark contrast to Reunion's tropical climate. Bompastor still laughs about one conversation: "She said to me: 'I'm so sorry, Sonia, but I think I need to go back to my place. It's so cold here. I can't play football any more!'" But Malard persevered, knowing the opportunity was too good to pass up. "When Lyon calls you, it's maybe just one time in your life," she says. "So you need to take your opportunity when it comes."
More Than a Coach
Bompastor's influence went beyond the pitch. As head of Lyon's academy, she also monitored Malard's education. "When I did bad in school, she called me," Malard recalls. "'Mel, where are you? The school called me - it's not good what you're doing!' That was a nightmare - Sonia is always here." Their bond strengthened as Malard rose through the ranks, breaking into Lyon's first team as a 17-year-old in 2017. By the time Bompastor became Lyon's head coach for the 2021-22 season, Malard was a key player. That campaign, Malard started the Champions League final against Barcelona, which Lyon won 3-1. For Bompastor, it remains a special memory. "When you look at all the journey and Melvine coming as a young kid into a different environment, far away from her family... and how she improved to be starting that game and for us to win that game," she says. "It's a big achievement."
Reunited at Chelsea
Now, the pair are reunited at Chelsea. Malard joined from Manchester United in July and has quickly become a key player. In just six appearances, she has matched her six-goal tally from last season's Women's Super League, helping fill the void left by Sam Kerr's departure. "I knew she had the potential to be a really good player," Bompastor tells BBC Sport. "Having known her for so long and all the hard work she has put in, I'm really proud of her." Malard's stats have improved significantly. At United, she averaged 3.4 shots and 6.2 touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 minutes. At Chelsea, those figures have risen to 5.4 and 11.8 respectively. Her expected goals per 90 minutes have more than doubled from 0.5 to 1.1, and her shot conversion rate has increased from 10.5% to 22.2%. Bompastor believes her improvement is about more than just goalscoring. "She developed herself in terms of technical skills, knowledge of the game, understanding the game a little bit more, reading the game better," she says. "She can play in different positions so we know we can use her as a nine or as a winger."
A Bright Future
Such versatility has made Malard a valuable option for Bompastor as Chelsea chase silverware at home and abroad. After winning the domestic treble in Bompastor's first season in 2024-25, Chelsea only picked up the League Cup last season, with their third-placed finish snapping a run of six straight WSL titles. Nine games into 2026-27, the Blues have the league's best attack and meanest defence, but a disappointing draw at home to Everton last weekend allowed champions Manchester City to overhaul them at the top of the table. The two sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a match live on BBC One that could be instrumental in deciding the title. Malard will likely be leading the line, but Bompastor's ambitions for her former academy prospect are not limited to club level. When Malard asks what Bompastor hopes she will achieve this season, the Chelsea boss sets her a clear challenge. "I would like you to play for France next summer as the number nine and to win the World Cup," she says. Twelve years after their first encounter, Bompastor continues to push Malard to new heights.
