Jean-Ricner Bellegarde arrived at Wolves with hopes of making his mark, but after a first season full of challenges, the Frenchman is now beginning to hit those heights as a versatile member of Vitor Pereira’s starting 11.
For Bellegarde, adapting to the team’s changing tactics in year two of his Premier League career is just another challenge he’s willing to embrace. As well as occasionally playing centrally his more favoured midfield role, more often than not he has become one of Pereira’s go to guys in one of the ‘number 10’ positions.
However, the versatility he’s shown, the assists and goals he’s added to his game during the 2024/25 campaign and being a player who will do what it takes for the team – regardless of where he believes he’s best suited – will stands Bellegarde in good shape going into his third term in gold and black.
On his second season at Wolves
“I’m happy because I played a lot, but last season was very difficult because we didn’t win a lot of the first games, but the end of the season was good for the team and our mentality is better.”
On being a team player
“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 for 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.”
On fully settling into the squad
“All the people here have made it easier for life because they also good people, so I’m happy. I’m happy in the dressing room, I talk with everyone, and it’s ok.
“It’s good to have people who speak your language because when you come to England it’s easier to speak about tactical things or even about life, it’s better when you have people who you are more comfortable with.
“When you can speak to a lot of people off the pitch, you can be more for comfortable in the pitch, but with our group, it’s very easy for us to speak with each other and exchange with every player, so it’s good.”
On becoming a favourite under Pereira
“Vitor has helped me a lot and has given me more opportunities, but with the team, when we saw Vitor was coming to the club, it felt like every player can have a chance for play, but you need to keep this and try to play. But he has been very good for the team.
“In pre-season, Vitor will be imposing his ideas on the team and the players need to listen and do it on the pitch. But he is good, he’s directed us to win the games and he’s very good for the team.”
The assist from JRB for Munetsi 😍
— Wolves (@Wolves) March 27, 2025
One of the moments that helped Bellegarde get a @premierleague Player of the Month nomination. pic.twitter.com/JxUAZYmQRx
On improving set-pieces at both ends of the pitch
“We conceded a lot of goals from set pieces before, but since Vitor came in, all the time after training we’ve been working a lot on set pieces. But it’s very important for us, and you can see now we don’t concede a lot of goals from them, so it’s very good.
“It’s very good because Luis [Miguel] speaks with me all the time about crossing a good cross and try to work this in the training. When you work a lot on things in training, you can do well in the game and when you see in the game it’s doing well, it’s very good for the team.”
