Simon Rolfes, Managing Director of Bayer Leverkusen, has expressed confidence in Victor Boniface‘s ability to regain his explosive form and become a dominant force once again.
The Nigeria international had a great start to his Leverkusen career following his arrival from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in July 2023. By the end of the year, the 23-year-old had already scored 16 goals and provided nine assists for the German champions.
His ascent was unfortunately halted after picking up an injury in January that ruled him out for three months, causing him to miss the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
Upon his return in April, Boniface made 11 competitive appearances, scoring five goals and providing two assists.
Despite his injury lay-off, Boniface ended the season as the club's top scorer with 14 goals in the league and 21 in 34 in all competitions, culminating in him being named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.
Rolfes on Victor Boniface's road to recovery
While Boniface has not been able to display the dynamism that characterised his play before the injury, Rolfes is optimistic the Bayer Leverkusen striker will return to his best form in the upcoming season.
“After such an injury, it is not so easy to regain that explosiveness in order to be able to fully enter into duels – physically, but also mentally. It always takes a little time, also to regain confidence in yourself and your body,” Rolfes said as per Kicker. “He'll be in a completely different state at the start of the season.
“This explosiveness is always important, but even more so for offensive players, because for these players it's also about becoming dangerous through individual actions and asserting themselves in direct duels.”
“They would have to get past, be one step faster than the opponent.
“For Boniface, it will be about developing this power and agility. This is exactly what he needs for his game. To help again effectively to secure balls – high or low – in the center. And to be able to show his top form over 90 minutes,” Rolfes concluded.
