Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has experienced a remarkable resurgence in February, finally cementing his status as a key figure for Wolves.
The 26-year-old scored in Wolves’ 2-0 victory over Aston Villa and then made a significant impact off the bench against Liverpool, providing the assist for Matheus Cunha’s stunning goal.
Under Gary O’Neil, Bellegarde often found himself on the fringes, with the former manager unsure of his best position. However, since Vitor Pereira took charge, the Frenchman has been deployed as an attacking midfielder, a role that has allowed his ball-carrying abilities to shine.
Bellegarde was in electrifying form against Bournemouth last weekend, earning widespread praise for his performance alongside Cunha. It’s clear that he is now playing the best football of his Wolves career.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is more comfortable playing centrally:
In a central midfield role, Bellegarde can collect the ball from deep and drive forward with purpose, whereas playing out wide often left him isolated.
Speaking to the Wolves official website, Bellegarde explained how he feels most confident in an attacking midfield position, where the forwards create space for him to exploit.
“I’m enjoying every day if I can play,” he said. “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.
“Further forward, the striker can open the space for me, and if the spaces are open, I can attack them. It’s not the same profile [Strand Larsen and Munetsi] and we need to adapt to different players.”
The arrival of Pereira as manager has been a key factor in Bellegarde’s resurgence. Under O’Neil, the Frenchman’s potential remained untapped, as the former boss struggled to find his ideal role.
Gary O’Neil felt Bellegarde was best playing out wide:
When Pedro Neto departed for Chelsea last summer, Wolves lacked a player of similar quality to fill the void. In October, O’Neil challenged Bellegarde to improve his goal and assist contributions, viewing him as a potential solution on the flanks.
“We knew that Pedro (Neto) might leave and it may open things up more for him, and he needed to stay injury free and in a good spot,” O’Neil said via the E&S.
“He does have qualities that can help us, whether that be off the side of slightly narrower. He is versatile with the fact he can play off the left or the right.
“He’s had a decent start but I want to keep pushing him for more goal involvements and more quality in the final third, but he’s working very hard.”
These comments suggest that O’Neil saw Bellegarde primarily as a winger, rather than a dynamic central midfielder capable of making surging runs from deep.
Had Bellegarde been utilized in his natural position as a central attacking midfielder under O’Neil, perhaps his true potential would have been unlocked sooner. Now, under Pereira, Wolves are finally reaping the rewards of his talents.
