Melvine Malard needed only 33 minutes of her competitive Chelsea career to provide the first glimpse of why the Blues were willing to spend heavily to bring her back to the Women’s Super League.
The summer signing began Wednesday night’s Women’s Champions League qualifier against Real Sociedad on the bench.
By full-time, she had scored twice and helped turn a difficult 2-2 contest into a commanding 5-2 Chelsea victory.
It was quite an introduction for the club’s new No.9.
What a Chelsea debut for Melvine Malard. 🤩
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Two goals off the bench as Chelsea beat Real Sociedad 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.
Some introduction. 💙#CFCW pic.twitter.com/W5ZJWurQHz
— ChelseaReport (@chelsreport_) August 26, 2026
Melvine Malard changes Chelsea game from the bench
Malard entered after 55 minutes with Chelsea still searching for control.
Real Sociedad had already demonstrated how dangerous they could be, twice responding to Chelsea pressure and eventually making it 2-2 through Cecilia Marcos.
The next goal carried enormous importance.
It belonged to Malard.
Sjoeke Nusken found the France international with a perfectly weighted pass and the striker showed the composure Chelsea hoped they had bought, rounding the goalkeeper before finishing to restore the lead.
Chelsea never looked back.
Lauren James made it 4-2 before Ellie Carpenter created Malard’s second late on, allowing the substitute to finish her competitive debut with a brace.
ReadChelsea’s confirmed Chelsea XI showed Malard beginning the night among the substitutes, with Aggie Beever-Jones initially preferred through the middle.
Thirty-three minutes later, Sonia Bompastor had another major attacking selection decision to consider.
Chelsea’s £850k investment immediately looks intriguing
Chelsea knew exactly what they were getting when they pursued Malard.
ReadChelsea covered the £850,000 deal which brought the striker from Manchester United, with the 26-year-old signing a four-year contract.
Her record already contained substantial evidence.
Malard arrived with Women’s Super League experience, Champions League pedigree and the versatility to operate centrally or from wider positions.
Chelsea also handed her the No.9 shirt, another indication that the club viewed her as considerably more than simple squad depth.
Chelsea confirmed Malard would wear No.9 after completing her transfer, with the forward outlining her ambition to win trophies at Stamford Bridge.
Her first competitive appearance could hardly have supported that decision more emphatically.
This was not two goals added after Chelsea had already settled the tie.
Malard entered with the score at 2-1.
Sociedad equalised three minutes later.
Chelsea still needed somebody to change the direction of the game.
Malard did.
Bompastor suddenly has another Chelsea striker decision
Competition through the middle was already fierce.
Beever-Jones made an outstanding start to pre-season, including a 13-minute hat-trick that strengthened her own claim to a starting role.
Mayra Ramirez will eventually return from injury.
Malard has now entered the argument with perhaps the most impressive competitive introduction possible.
Her familiarity with Bompastor could help.
Chelsea’s profile of their summer signing explains how Bompastor first identified Malard as a 14-year-old before later coaching her in Lyon’s senior team.
There is therefore already trust between player and coach.
But reputation alone will not secure a starting place in this Chelsea attack.
Performances will.
Malard’s first one lasted little more than half an hour and produced two Champions League goals.
Chelsea still have work to do in San Sebastian next week despite carrying a three-goal advantage into the second leg.
For their new No.9, however, the first statement has already been made.
Chelsea Women 5-2 Real Sociedad: Malard debut brace gives Blues control
Chelsea Women 5-2 Real Sociedad: Malard debut brace gives Blues control
Chelsea Women XI vs Real Sociedad: McCabe starts as Girma captains
Chelsea Women XI vs Real Sociedad: McCabe starts as Girma captains