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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Suzanne Wrack

‘Island girl’ Malard aims to become a legend with Bompastor at Chelsea

Melvine Malard smiles as she poses for a photo while sitting on a chair at the side of the pitch at Chelsea's home ground, Stamford Bridge. She is wearing a Chelsea training shirt and light blue jeans.
Melvine Malard won a Champions League under Sonia Bompastor at Lyon – now she wants to do it again at Chelsea. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

It is rare to see Melvine Malard without a grin and she has a mountain of reasons to keep it that way. A wedding in June, a big-money move to Chelsea, a Ballon d’Or nomination and a first taste of a London derby against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The France forward is loving life and the personality behind the smile that instantly connects her to teammates is infectious.

“Goals,” says Malard, with a laugh, when asked what keeps her happy. “Seriously though, it’s seeing the kids, the families, my family, in the stands. It is crazy. I love my life, I love my job, I’m happy with my wife and everything is good. I smile because of those things, because I’m happy.”

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