Wolves’ Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has set his sights on competing for more game time ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The Frenchman certainly showed improvement last season, performing best when unleashed in midfield by Vitor Pereira.
Bellegarde is enjoying working with Pereira, but if there’s one thing he’d like to improve, it’s his chances of making the starting XI more frequently.
Last term, the 27-year-old secured 20 starts in the Premier League, an improvement on the ten he recorded the season prior.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is ready to compete for a starting spot
Pereira sees what Bellegarde can offer to his side, but unfortunately, there’s rarely an opportunity for the Frenchman to start in his favoured role.
That’s because of Joao Gomes and Andre’s pivot in midfield, a source of all-Brazilian brilliance that is irreplaceable to Pereira.
For players like Bellegarde, who are queuing to get a chance to usurp one of Gomes and Andre, the wait is difficult, but it’s not something that the 2023 signing is giving up on anytime soon.
“For me, I stay calm and I work and wait for my time,” Bellegarde told the Express and Star about the competition for starting spots in midfield.
“If the gaffer tells me I will play in the midfield and Joao and Andre play, I need to be competitive.”
Though Bellegarde is ready to duel his Brazilian teammates for minutes in central midfield, the French star admitted that the pair’s presence only helps to make him better.
“Andre and Joao can help me be the best, it’s good for the team,” he explained.
“They are very good players, technical, defending, but I’m ready to compete. All the team want to do this.”
Pereira’s snub of Tommy Doyle made it clear what the Wolves manager wants from his central midfielders, with Bellegarde having what it takes to compete with the boss’s star duo.
Bellegarde makes his best position clear
Over the 2024/25 season, Bellegarde was utilised most in advanced central areas, occupying the space behind Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Due to the formation Wolves play, this often saw the Frenchman drift out into the wider channels, away from his favoured role.
When speaking to Express and Star, Bellegarde made it clear that his favourite position is in central midfield.
“When I play in midfield on the pitch, I feel more comfortable,” he said.
Though the 27-year-old’s desire to improve and compete is clear, Pereira is also aware of just how versatile Bellegarde can be across the front line, having many strings to his bow.
It will be interesting to see what the 2025/26 calendar has in store for Bellegarde, who showed encouraging spells last season.