“We’ve seen him in a few matches, and he’s been excellent in that role. Once he gains more momentum and Cunha returns, he could contribute even more, relieving some of the pressure that’s been placed solely on Cunha”- The ‘brilliant’ player Ian Wright believes can ease the burden on Matheus Cunha at Wolves
Wolves are facing life without their key player, Matheus Cunha, but Ian Wright believes one player has shown he could rise to the challenge in his absence.
Cunha received a red card in Wolves’ FA Cup clash with Bournemouth after a confrontation with Milos Kerkez. The Brazilian was handed a three-match ban and could face further suspension after being charged with improper conduct for his actions following the red card.
This is far from ideal for Wolves, who have leaned heavily on Cunha this season. However, in their first game without him, Wolves earned a respectable draw against Everton, despite a concerning lack of creativity in the final third.
One player who stood out in that match was Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, and Ian Wright believes the Frenchman could be a key figure for Wolves during this challenging period.
Ian Wright Impressed by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
Bellegarde has been revitalized at Wolves in recent weeks. Under manager Vitor Pereira, the midfielder has seen more playing time and had the chance to operate in his preferred central role.
Against Everton, however, Bellegarde was deployed as an inside left forward. It was his perfect pass that set up Marshall Munetsi to score his first goal for the club.
On The Kelly & Wrighty Show, Ian Wright lauded Bellegarde’s performance, particularly with Cunha sidelined, and expressed confidence that he could step up in the Brazilian’s absence.
Wright said: “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 few games, and he’s been brilliant there. I think once he gets going and Cunha returns, he could be a huge asset to the team, so there’s not so much pressure on just Cunha. I thought Bellegarde was excellent the other day, really, really good.”
Bellegarde Growing into an Important Role
Some Wolves fans now feel Bellegarde could prove crucial in Cunha’s absence, especially after his performance against Everton. It’s been a long time coming, but the Frenchman—who recently won Wolves’ Player of the Month award—now appears more confident and comfortable in his role.
Bellegarde’s rise could be pivotal in the coming matches and perhaps for the remainder of the season. Wright’s concerns about over-relying on Cunha are valid, but with Bellegarde stepping up, Wolves may have a strong alternative to ease that burden.
