Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has enjoyed a pretty solid 2025 so far.
The Frenchman has been at Molineux for two years now, after arriving as the replacement for Matheus Nunes in 2023.
Bellegarde wowed on his debut against Liverpool, but then really struggled to follow that performance up in his first term.
A combination of injuries and struggling to adapt meant it was a bit of an underwhelming debut season.
But Wolves fans saw Bellegarde really come to the fore in the second half of 2024/25 under Vitor Pereira.
The star got a run of games in the starting XI, playing both centrally and as one of the number 10s.
It became clear that Bellegarde was really benefitting from just being allowed to play – and the star has now dropped a hint for Pereira ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde says he needs to play next season
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde ahead of playing for Wolves.
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
At the moment, Wolves are scouring the market for another number 10.
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The club signed Fer Lopez recently, but Wolves need someone for the left side.
But last term, we saw Bellegarde – who signed for Wolves for £12.8 million (BBC Sport) – play in Matheus Cunha’s position when the Brazilian wasn’t available. And he did really well.
And potentially, Bellegarde’s latest comments suggest he’s sounding himself out to play in that role.
He said: “For me, I need to play, but if the coach tells me he needs me to play this position, then that’s what I’ll do and that’s what I have been doing. I just need to help the team, and for me, when the team is playing very well and can win the games, then I’m happy.
“But the gaffer knows I can do more to help the striker, but it depends on the plan of the match. If the gaffer tells me to stay in the middle, then I’ll stay, if I can go and help the striker more, then I’ll go – it all depends on the game.”
“Wolves have just loaned Tommy Doyle to Birmingham, and potentially that creates some opportunities for Bellegarde centrally.
But he likely will not start there over Joao Gomes or Andre.
Vitor Pereira during Manchester United FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC - Premier League
Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
Bellegarde will be an important player for Wolves in 2025/26
Wolves face an impossible task replacing Cunha.
But we did see Bellegarde play really well in his place last term, and it will be interesting to see if Pereira deploys him there again in 2025/26.
But hopefully, we do just see Bellegarde starting games fairly often for Wolves regardless of position.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde for Wolves in 2024/26
Appearances – 39
Minutes played – 1869
Goals – 2
Assists – 7
He’s a great player who provides energy, ball-carrying and creativity.
It took him a while to find his feet at Molineux, but under Pereira he has been brilliant.
He wants to play regularly, and that may well depend on what Wolves do in the transfer market in the coming weeks. But certainly, he is deserving of regular minutes, at least to start with in 2025/26.