NafisaBefore the new season even got underway, Frank Lampard made no secret of what he wanted Coventry City to become.
The former Chelsea midfielder pointed towards Leeds United and Sunderland as examples for his side to follow after both clubs pulled off impressive campaigns despite being widely tipped to struggle.
Leeds finished 14th in the Premier League last season after being backed by many to go straight back down, while Sunderland went even further by securing European football. Both clubs were able to transform their squads through smart recruitment, bringing in players with experience from some of Europe’s strongest leagues.
Lampard clearly took notice.
Coventry have subsequently spent heavily this summer, investing more than £120 million on a squad that includes Caleb Yirenkyi, Ethan Pinnock, Taiwo Awoniyi and Sidiki Cherif. Their recruitment has combined established Premier League and Championship talent with players arriving from European football.
Yet while Coventry have been trying to follow the blueprint set by Leeds, the Whites have just beaten Lampard’s side to one of the players who could have helped continue that project.
Leeds United have agreed a deal to sign French defender Melvin Bard from Nice, with the versatile 25-year-old set to move to Elland Road on a season-long loan that includes an option to buy.
It is another important piece of business for Daniel Farke, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding his options at left-back.
Gabriel Gudmundsson was a major part of Leeds’ side last season, featuring consistently before suffering a hamstring injury towards the end of the campaign. The Sweden international returned during pre-season but suffered another setback, leaving Leeds without a natural left-back option at the beginning of the new season.
James Justin has been capable of covering on that side, but his ability to operate on both flanks has also made him an important option as deputy to Jayden Bogle on the right.
Bard therefore gives Farke something Leeds have been missing.
The Frenchman is primarily a left-back, but his versatility means he can also operate at centre-back. That could prove particularly valuable given the number of fixtures Leeds face and the demands of Premier League football.
He will also arrive with considerable experience.
Bard has made 168 Ligue 1 appearances across spells with Nice and Lyon, establishing himself as a reliable defender in one of Europe’s major domestic competitions.
His defensive numbers underline why Leeds have been attracted to him. Last season, he averaged 1.5 interceptions per 90 minutes, the second-highest figure in the Nice squad.
There is also plenty of praise for Bard from inside the Nice dressing room.
Teammate Ali Abdi was particularly impressed by the defender towards the end of the 2024/25 campaign, saying: “Melvin has been excellent. He’s a player who… (interrupts)… I think he deserves a chance with the French national team. He’s a player who deserves it because he works hard.”
That work ethic will now be tested in England.
Leeds were not the only club interested in Bard, with Coventry and West Ham United also linked with moves for the defender in recent days.
However, it is Farke’s side who have moved closest to getting the deal over the line.
A report from L’Equipe stated that Leeds had an offer accepted for a €1 million loan, with a €5 million option to buy included in the agreement.
The structure makes the deal particularly attractive for Leeds. Rather than committing to a significant permanent fee immediately, the Whites can assess Bard throughout the campaign before deciding whether to make his move permanent.
It also represents another example of the recruitment approach Leeds have taken this summer.
Rather than simply adding numbers, the club have focused on players capable of immediately improving the squad while also giving Farke greater flexibility.
Bard fits that profile perfectly.
His arrival could allow Justin to concentrate more heavily on covering the right, while giving Farke a genuine alternative on the left and another option in central defence if required.
Journalist Mike McGrath has also reported that Bard is travelling to England to complete his medical, further suggesting that the transfer is now approaching its final stages.
For Coventry, meanwhile, there will be some frustration.
Lampard spoke before the season about wanting to replicate what Leeds and Sunderland achieved, particularly through recruitment. Yet one of the players who could have strengthened his own squad is now heading to Elland Road instead.
Leeds have made a strong start to the new campaign and have conceded just one goal across their opening three matches in all competitions.
Adding Bard to that defensive unit could give Farke even more depth as the season develops.
And perhaps there is an interesting irony in all of this.
Coventry looked towards Leeds for inspiration this summer.
Leeds, meanwhile, have just taken one of Coventry’s potential targets for themselves.
Nafisa
