A summer signing from Olympique Lyonnais, 21-year-old Bard has established himself as a key man in an OGC Nice side currently riding high in second.

Bard will feel that his decision to leave his hometown team Lyon - where he started only five games last season - and move to the Côte d'Azur has been vindicated.

He made his final appearance for Lyon against Christophe Galtier's LOSC back in April, before sealing a Є3 million switch to Galtier's Nice, where he has teamed up with another Lyon youth team product in Amine Gouiri.

"He's received a good education," coach Christophe Galtier explained to the Ligue 1 Show on beIN SPORTS. "He learned his trade at Lyon, and we know how good the Lyon academy is. Melvin's made a promising start here at Nice. Now winter's arrived and there are a lot of matches to play.

"He's really settled in well," concurred club captain Dante. "He's surprised me in a positive way. He really listens to advice, and he wants to improve. He's a very intelligent boy. I've adopted him somewhat because he plays next to me. I give him a lot of advice and I do my best to help him out on the pitch."

Popular with the fans as well as with his teammates, Bard is very much a modern-day full back. He has shown his attacking qualities this season, launching Nice attacks down the left and even scoring a goal himself. Technical, fast and disciplined, Bard has all of the tools needed to succeed in Ligue 1 Uber Eats.

Watch: Bard opens his Nice account against Brest

"There are still many aspects of his game he needs to work on," continued Galtier. "But he's a serious kid with real ability. He listens, he observes and carries out the instructions we give him. It's a pleasure to coach someone like that."

With Bard invariably solid on the left, Nice have the second-best defensive record in the league. Galtier, who is known for his ability to nurture young talent, believes Bard will keep on improving.

"He can still get a lot better. I think if he can get a good, full season under his belt, he'll progress at a rapid rate.

"I really like Melvin," added Dante. "He has so much talent, I think he'll have a great career. If he keeps on working hard like he's doing at the moment, he'll reach the highest level."