Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has had a pretty fascinating spell at Wolves.
Signed on transfer deadline day in the summer of 2023 and billed as the replacement for Matheus Nunes, there was excitement about Bellegarde’s arrival.
He then enjoyed a very lively debut against Liverpool, and supporters felt the club might have signed a real gem.
But sadly Jean-Ricner Bellegarde couldn’t really find consistency in his first season.
Bellegarde admitted the pace and intensity of the Premier League was a lot, and he also suffered with injuries.
But Bellegarde is enjoying happier times at Wolves now and is perhaps on his best run since he arrived – and the verdict Gary O’Neil gave in pre-season is starting to ring true.
Gary O’Neil felt Bellegarde could be regular starter for Wolves this season
Gary O’Neil said in pre-season he felt Bellegarde could be a regular for Wolves in 2024/25.
The former manager had deployed Bellegarde in a central role on a couple of occasions out in the US, and speaking after Wolves’ game with West Ham United, he said: “That was my chat with him in the summer (about kicking on from 2023/24), how excited I was with the season coming for him.
“When I was sat there in the room with him, I fully believed he could be a regular starter for us this year. He’s come back, his knee has still made him miss certain bits.”
Bellegarde has been feeling the love from Vitor Pereira in recent weeks.
| Jean-Ricner Bellegarde minutes in Wolves’ last six games |
| start vs Aston Villa – 88 |
| start vs Blackburn – 66 |
| no start vs Liverpool – 45 |
| start vs Bournemouth – 80 |
| start vs Fulham – 65 |
| start vs Bournemouth – 90 |
The Frenchman has now started three of the last four Premier League games, and also Wolves’ last two FA Cup games.
It is a suggestion the tide may be finally turning for the 26-year-old, who has impressed in a central role, although he’s still peeled out wide at times but played with much more confidence.
Certainly, Bellegarde would be a deserving Player of the Month winner for Wolves, having made some key contributions in February amid his increased game time.
Bellegarde more comfortable playing centrally
Bellegarde has been playing centrally more often recently, and this is a role that does seem to suit him.
He is energetic and press resistant, making him suited to those intricate areas in midfield.
Bellegarde recently admitted to enjoying playing centrally, saying: “I’m enjoying every day if I can play. It’s a good moment for the team, but I need to help the team if I can. I’m more confident in midfield. I can touch the ball and attack and defend. I’m comfortable there.”
While playing through the middle is his preference, it is just important that he’s on the pitch right now because it’s been clear to see that his confidence has grown under Pereira.
There is no reason why he can’t now continue this form through until the end of the season, and see that prediction from O’Neil fully ring true.