Jean-Ricner Bellegarde: Wolves’ Relentless Competitor Eyes a Bigger Role in 2025/26
As Wolverhampton Wanderers continue to shape their identity under head coach Vítor Pereira, few players embody the spirit of perseverance and quiet determination quite like Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
Since joining Wolves in the summer of 2023 from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, the French midfielder has been on a steady upward trajectory. Now, heading into his third season at Molineux, Bellegarde is more driven than ever to make his mark—not just as a squad contributor, but as a regular starter in his preferred position.
Last season saw a noticeable step forward for the 27-year-old. After a challenging adaptation period during his first Premier League campaign, Bellegarde returned with renewed confidence in 2024/25, registering 20 starts in the league—twice as many as the season prior. It was a statement of both growth and intent.
“When I play in midfield on the pitch, I feel more comfortable,” he told the Express and Star. “That is where I want to compete.”
Yet despite his progression, Bellegarde’s path to the Wolves midfield remains one of the most competitive within the squad. His primary challenge? Breaking into a double pivot occupied by João Gomes and André—two of the Premier League’s most reliable and complementary midfielders, and clear favourites of Pereira.
The Challenge: Breaking a Brazilian Stronghold
João Gomes, now firmly established as one of Wolves’ most influential players, and André, the tenacious Brazilian import who has quickly settled into English football, are pivotal to Pereira’s 4-2-3-1 system. Together, they offer a rare balance of grit, composure, and tactical awareness—qualities essential in controlling the midfield against elite opposition.
Bellegarde, to his credit, isn’t naive about the challenge in front of him. Rather than expressing frustration at limited opportunities in his favoured central role, he’s embraced the learning experience.
“Andre and Joao can help me be the best—it’s good for the team,” he explained. “They are very good players—technical, defending—but I’m ready to compete. All the team want to do this.”
His professionalism and team-first attitude have earned him respect in the dressing room and trust from Pereira, who frequently turned to Bellegarde in a number of roles last season—even if they weren’t always ideal for the player himself.
Adaptability and Tactical Intelligence
Throughout the 2024/25 campaign, Bellegarde found himself often deployed as an attacking midfielder, sometimes drifting into wider areas behind Wolves’ striker, Jorgen Strand Larsen. This hybrid role—somewhere between a No. 10 and a wide midfielder—took full advantage of his engine, his ability to carry the ball through tight spaces, and his willingness to press high up the pitch.
However, it also pulled him away from the centre of the action—the role he enjoys most.
“I can help the team in other positions, but when I play in the middle, I feel it more,” he added. “That is where I feel I can show my best football.”
The formation used by Pereira, typically a 4-2-3-1 or sometimes a 4-3-3 depending on the opponent, doesn’t always allow for a third central midfielder without sacrificing another area. But in matches where tactical tweaks are needed—especially against teams who crowd the midfield or press aggressively—Bellegarde’s energy and versatility become invaluable.
From Ligue 1 to the Premier League: A Journey of Growth
Bellegarde’s journey to the Premier League wasn’t one of overnight success. Raised in Champigny-sur-Marne, a suburb of Paris, he came through the youth academy at Lens before establishing himself at Strasbourg, where he earned a reputation as a powerful, box-to-box midfielder with the ability to glide past players in transition and recover quickly on defence.
Those qualities are what attracted Wolves to him in the first place—and those same attributes are why fans and pundits alike are now calling for him to feature more centrally in 2025/26.
His debut season in England was challenging, marked by inconsistent form and adaptation to the physicality and pace of the Premier League. But instead of faltering, Bellegarde went to work in silence. He improved his positional discipline, refined his passing under pressure, and began to understand the tactical nuances of English football. The payoff was clear last season, as his performances became more assured and impactful.
Competition Driving Excellence
Bellegarde finds himself in a peculiar situation: caught between being too valuable to leave on the bench, but blocked from his preferred role by two of the club’s most undroppable assets.
That, however, hasn’t deterred him. In fact, it’s sharpened his mindset.
“For me, I stay calm and I work and wait for my time,” he said. “If the gaffer tells me I will play in the midfield and Joao and Andre play, I need to be competitive.”
There’s no question that Vítor Pereira values players with the mental toughness and patience to adapt—and Bellegarde fits that profile perfectly. The manager’s cold snub of Tommy Doyle last season sent a message about what he expects from his midfielders: tactical discipline, technical quality, and defensive reliability. Bellegarde ticks all three boxes—and he knows it.
A Defining Season Awaits
As Wolves prepare for a demanding 2025/26 season, with European qualification once again a goal and domestic competition as fierce as ever, squad depth will be essential. Injuries, fixture congestion, and tactical reshuffles will all open doors for players like Bellegarde.
The Frenchman stands ready—not just as cover, but as a legitimate contender to challenge the established hierarchy in midfield.
He enters the new campaign as a more complete player: tactically mature, physically conditioned for the rigours of English football, and mentally prepared for the challenge. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Bellegarde is poised to play a pivotal role in Wolves’ plans.
And if opportunity knocks, he’ll be more than ready to answer.
“I’m ready to compete.”
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has made his position clear. Now, it’s time to prove he belongs in the heart of Wolves’ midfield.