Twelve months ago, Victor Boniface stood on top of the Bundesliga. His debut campaign at Bayer Leverkusen was the stuff of folklore; 21 goals, 10 assists, and a starring role in the club’s first-ever Bundesliga triumph.
He was the spearhead of Xabi Alonso’s high-wire attacking act, the battering ram with velvet feet, the Nigerian forward courted by Europe’s elite.
Now, the picture is very different. As Leverkusen players head into their holidays following the 2024/25 season, Boniface finds himself reflecting on a season that had had more of frustration than fireworks.
With just 10 goals and one assist in 26 appearances, and an average of 51 minutes per game, his grip on the starting shirt loosened.
Patrik Schick’s resurgence pushed him further down the pecking order. Injuries didn’t help, and neither did inconsistency. For a player once linked with Chelsea, Arsenal, and even Al Nassr, the drop-off has been sharp.
Victor Boniface and the Ten Hag mould
Now, a potential lifeline arrives in the form of Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman, dismissed by Manchester United in October 2024, wants to rebuild his reputation at Leverkusen. He brings pedigree, tactical rigidity, and a proven track record of striker development.
Welcome to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Erik ten Hag! 👊⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/Nj2ErK6Wsx
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 26, 2025
Ten Hag’s blueprint has always included a focal point in attack. Sébastien Haller thrived under him at both Utrecht (40 goals in 81 games) and Ajax (47 in 66).
Even when goals didn’t flow, as with Rasmus Højlund, Wout Weghorst or Joshua Zirkzee at United, he stuck with his frontmen, trusting their hold-up play and pressing.
Boniface’s game, when at its best, shares DNA with the strikers Ten Hag has previously relied on. He presses with intent, combines physicality with intelligence, and links play efficiently.
At his peak, he ticks every box. The question is whether Ten Hag sees a path to revive that version of the 24-year-old.
Preseason offers Boniface a rare chance to reset
Yet there are no guarantees. Alonso was Boniface’s chief advocate, shielding him in lean spells and tailoring tactics to fit his bustling style.
With the Spaniard gone, the Super Eagles forward no longer has that safety net. Patrik Schick’s strong finish to the season combined with Leverkusen’s internal concerns over Boniface’s durability further complicates the picture.
Even the transfer market has turned its head. Once linked to Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool, Boniface’s name has grown quieter in the rumour mill. A potential move to Saudi Arabia in January failed to materialise. The buzz has dimmed.
But football, like form, is cyclical. If Ten Hag sees a version of Haller in Boniface, a mobile, modern No.9 with room for growth, this summer could be the Nigerian’s reset button.
Victor Boniface shows off his awards in his first season in the Bundesliga.
4x Rookie of the Month
1X Rookie of the Season
1× Player of the Month
1× Golden BootNot a bad season at all! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/hZkY6zYknR
— Sports Radio Brila FM (@Brilafm889) May 17, 2024
A full pre-season under new management may be all it takes to reignite a career that once burned so brightly.
At 24, Boniface isn’t washed. He’s wounded, perhaps, and wounded pride can be a powerful motivator.
With Leverkusen back in the Champions League and a new tactical architect in the dugout, the table is set. All that’s left is for Boniface to remind everyone why he was the Bundesliga’s breakout star not so long ago.
