Wolves are having to navigate without their talisman Matheus Cunha – but Ian Wright reckons one player has shown signs he could really step up in his absence.
Cunha got a red card against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, after fighting with Milos Kerkez.
Cunha was hit with a three-game ban, and potentially could miss more games after the FA charged him with improper conduct for his actions after the sending off.
It is far from ideal for Wolves, who have relied on Cunha heavily this season.
But in the first game without Cunha, Wolves did pick up a respectable point against Everton. Although there was a worrying lack of quality in the final third.
But one man who did stand up to be counted for against Everton was Jean-Ricner Bellegarde – who’s a player Ian Wright feels could really help Wolves in this time of need.
Ian Wright impressed by Wolves star Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Bellegarde has found a new lease of life at Wolves lately.
The Frenchman has started to see more minutes under Vitor Pereira, and has had some opportunities in his preferred central role.
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Against Everton though, Bellegarde played as an inside left forward.
And his perfect pass found Marshall Munetsi to score his first goal for the club.
On The Kelly & Wrighty Show, Ian Wright praised Bellegarde in the absence of Cunha, believing he could step up in his absence.
He said: “I thought that Bellegarde… did you see Bellegarde? I think Gary O’Neil played him on the wing. But his main position is attacking midfielder.
“We’ve seen him in a couple of games. He’s brilliant in there. I think once he gets going and Cunha comes back, maybe he will be able to contribute more to them so there not so much pressure on just Cunha.
“I thought Bellegarde was excellent the other day, really really good.”
Bellegarde getting better and better
Some Wolves fans felt Bellegarde could actually step up in Cunha’s absence, after seeing him play against Everton in his position.
It has been a long time coming, but Bellegarde – who won Wolves’ latest Player of the Month award – now looks comfortable and confident in a Wolves shirt.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde under Vitor Pereira so far
Appearances – 15
Minutes played – 661
Goals – 1
Assists – 2
He stands to be an important player in these next two games especially, and potentially for the rest of the season.
Wright is correct in expressing concern about an overreliance on Cunha.
But Bellegarde could genuinely ease the burden on the Brazilian now that he seems to believe in himself a lot more.