Exclusive interview: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's midfield dream, renewed confidence and Wolves fight

Wolves had just lost four Premier League games in a row at the end of January and Vitor Pereira still had his work cut out.

The new manager bounce from when he first arrived had faded slightly and Wolves' next test was at home to Aston Villa in the West Midlands derby on February 1.

Joao Gomes was serving a one-match suspension and Pereira's options to partner Andre in midfield were Tommy Doyle or Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.

The head coach went with the latter - despite him hardly ever playing there in his Wolves career - and it was an inspired choice.

The Frenchman scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win, arguably put in his best performance in a Wolves shirt and then went on a run of consistent performances that saw him emerge as a new midfield option.

"This game is very important for me," Bellegarde said in an exclusive interview with the Express & Star during the club's pre-season training camp in Portugal.

"Joao was not there and gaffer had a choice between me and Tommy Doyle to play in the midfield.

"The gaffer told me 'you can play in the midfield, I believe in you'. I thought, OK, I need to push more. The game is very important for us.

"Sometimes people don't believe in the team because we played against Aston Villa and had lost a lot of games, but in my head this game was for us.

"I played and scored and I'm very happy for this game. After, I'll keep pushing and do better."

"Yes, I think so," Bellegarde said when asked if the weeks that followed was his best spell at the club.

"When I play in midfield on the pitch, I feel more comfortable. 

"But in football, it depends. If the gaffer tells me to play on the left, then I need to play on the left because I need to help the team the best I can.

"Both is OK, I just need to play.

"If you put me as a midfielder or a striker, I can play. I just need to be ready for this. 

"Now I need to prepare for the game in the midfield.

"Now I can feel more of the game. The Premier League is different to France, now I'm more comfortable in this league."

Bellegarde played in midfield during the second half of the training game against Santa Clara and was listed among the midfielders in the squad for the Portugal trip.

He also played left-wing-back in the training game against Burnley - proving he is prepared to play anywhere - before switching back to midfield.

However, to have any chance of playing in midfield in this Wolves team he will have to come up against impressive duo Gomes and Andre.

The Brazilian pair have shown they are a class above plenty of the top flight's midfielders and they continue to shine as Wolves get ready for the new season.

Bellegarde's first challenge is getting into the starting XI consistently, but he is ready to fight Gomes and Andre for a spot.

"Yes, for all the players in football it's difficult when you play and after you don't play," the Frenchman said.

"You need to be connected with the team and you need to be ready. In football, you don't know, you can be on the bench and the gaffer can call you to play.

"But for me, I stay calm and I work and wait for my time. 

"If the gaffer tells me I will play in the midfield and Joao and Andre play, I need to be competitive.

"Andre and Joao can help me be the best, it's good for the team.

"They are very good players, technical, defending, but I'm ready to compete. All the team want to do this."

Sitting in the team hotel in the Algarve, Bellegarde is very softly spoken and is still improving his English, but cuts an incredibly friendly character.

He took an interest in the lives of the people around the table during the interview and laughed like old friends meeting for a coffee.

The difference from what we saw previously following his move from Strasbourg in 2023? Confidence.

Pereira has been able to give that to him, while the player has also dragged it out of himself. He has now had two years in the Premier League and feels more like a top flight player now, than ever before, with more of a voice in the dressing room.

"I need to prepare for the games, day by day you need to work," Bellegarde added.

"For me I need to score more, with more pace, more everything for the team. I'll try to give my best.

"Now I have more confidence. I need to try a lot because I don't take risks a lot.

"I need to take more risks and show everyone.

"When I play, I speak with the team, all together, concentrating on us.

"I need to do my best work. If all the players think like this, we can do better in more games because you need to concentrate on yourself and after you can do the best game. 

"Now I need to help the young players. I'm more confident but I need to speak with the team a lot. I need more ambition. 

"It depends on the moment because if the players can see I believe in me and I need to be strong today, it's like a message for the whole team. 

"All the team need JJ (Bellegarde's nickname among his team-mates), he plays, he doesn't play a lot but he plays, he has determination. For me this is a good mentality.

"I think you need to remember last year. It was very difficult and if you don't want to feel the same emotion, frustration, stress, you need to start well and have more determination to go to the best. 

"The manager comes with determination and gives more messages for the players to play comfortably and the gaffer says we're together.

"It's a very good message and this year I think it's more easy."

Bellegarde reflects on last season's difficult start with more of an air of optimism for what is to come, rather than what has been.

The squad is light and needs some work - that is plain to see - but the core group that are here are working hard for a successful start to the campaign.

"It's my second pre-season and I'm very appreciative because it's very important for the team-mates, for more ambition," Bellegarde said.

"You have to prepare with good coordination, it's very important.

"If you have a good relationship, you can have a transmission to the pitch. 

"The players are happy to be here and you need to enjoy the work.

"He's (Pereira) been preparing more tactically. He's good for the team because he says he needs the team to be very strong, very happy, more committed together.

"Last year was very difficult for the gaffer because he didn't have a training camp or more time, but this year it's easier for him and the team."

Despite frustrations over a lack of signings, the atmosphere in the Wolves camp among the players and staff has been strong and Bellegarde seems happier than ever.

Whatever impact Bellegarde can have on the team this season is up to him - the ball is in his court - but he appears to be in the best possible place to grasp the opportunities coming his way.