Wolves sealed a big win over Southampton on Saturday – and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde continued his fine form.
The Frenchman has really turned a corner since the arrival of Vitor Pereira, and is now one of the team’s most in-form players.
After being given a chance in the middle against Aston Villa, Bellegarde has been a regular for Wanderers and looks a player reborn.
With Matheus Cunha unavailable through suspension it has been important for other players to step up and he is certainly doing that.
Wolves fans recently suggested Bellegarde could be Cunha’s replacement while he’s out – and against Southampton, he really shone.
He set Jorgen Strand Larsen up for both of his goals to take his tally of assists to six for the season.
Wolves star Jean-Ricner Bellegarde equals Matheus Nunes’ tally of assists in the Premier League
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
We are finally seeing the best of Bellegarde in a Wolves shirt.
It has been hard at times for him at Molineux, with Gary O’Neil often playing him out wide.
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But recently he’s started to pick up more central positions – and that is clearly where he’s more comfortable.
Bellegarde was signed in the summer of 2023, on transfer deadline day.
He was essentially the replacement for Matheus Nunes, who left the club to join Manchester City after going on strike.
Bellegarde even assumed Nunes’ old number 27 shirt.
It was widely accepted that Nunes’ time at Wolves was disappointing, with many feeling he should have contributed more goals and assists as a box-to-box player.
He’s continued to struggle in the Premier League and to date, he’s only made seven assists in the competition.
Somewhat embarrassingly for him, his replacement at Wolves Bellegarde has now equalled his tally of seven assists in the Premier League (via premierleague.com).
Bellegarde has got to seven in 49 appearances, with Nunes taking 72 to get there.
And further to that, Nunes still only has one Premier League to his name, which came for Wolves against Chelsea. Bellegarde has four.
Bellegarde finally showing his value for Wolves
Bellegarde won Wolves’ latest Player of the Month award and it was fully deserved.
His performances have been brilliant lately and it’s clear to see he’s now playing with newfound confidence, no doubt brought about by Vitor Pereira and the role he’s handed him.
Bellegarde – who Ian Wright recently called ‘brilliant’ – is proving to be a much better fit for Wolves than Nunes, who arguably only had a handful of great performances in an old gold shirt.
It is very satisfying that Wolves were able to get rid of a player who didn’t fit and didn’t want to be at the club, and replace him with someone who now looks a seriously handy player.