Victor Boniface joined Werder Bremen on the final day of the transfer window but has yet to make his first start for the club…
Werder Bremen’s head coach, Horst Steffen, revealed that Victor Boniface has not been handed a starting role in the Bundesliga because the Nigerian striker is still regaining his peak form, according to Soccernet.ng.
Following the collapse of a potential move to AC Milan during the summer transfer period, Boniface secured a season-long loan to Werder Bremen after being informed that he was surplus to requirements at Bayer Leverkusen.
Given his impressive track record at Bayer Leverkusen and Royale Union SG, expectations were high for Boniface to make an immediate impact and become a key figure for Werder Bremen.
Contrary to these hopes, Boniface has only appeared as a substitute in three matches so far, without earning a starting spot.
This limited game time is unexpected for a player of his caliber, especially considering he completed pre-season preparations with Bayer Leverkusen, which should have kept him match-fit.
Coach Horst Steffen explained that Boniface has yet to reach his optimal performance level, which has influenced the decision to limit his minutes on the pitch.
Despite this, Horst remains optimistic, noting that the 24-year-old forward is gradually regaining his form and could soon see increased involvement.
“You can already observe that he is steadily finding his rhythm,” Horst commented to Kicker.
“He netted a goal against Bayern Munich, though it was disallowed for offside. Nevertheless, he is determined to keep pushing forward.
“It’s evident that we rely on him and must help him reach his peak condition.”
“In my view, he hasn’t quite arrived there yet. We are continuously working on it, and he is aware of our support.”
Anticipating Victor Boniface’s First Start
Horst Steffen’s remarks clearly indicate the high regard in which he holds Victor Boniface.
It is also possible that Boniface’s limited playing time is influenced by contractual clauses that could be triggered if he accumulates a certain number of minutes on the field.
Nevertheless, there has been a noticeable increase in his involvement: he played 16 minutes in his debut for Werder Bremen, followed by 30 minutes in each of the subsequent two matches.
Looking ahead, it seems likely that Boniface will soon be given the opportunity to start for Werder Bremen as he continues to build his fitness and form.
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