Bayer Leverkusen's Sporting Director, Simon Rolfes, has weighed in on Victor Boniface's fitness status, revealing what he must do to break into Die Werkself's starting lineup in the upcoming season, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 25-year-old joined the one-time Bundesliga Champions in the summer of 2023, and he won four Rookie of the Month awards, spurring a Xabi Alonso-led Leverkusen side to the Meisterchale unbeaten.
Victor Boniface scored 21 goals and provided nine assists in 34 games in his debut season, but struggled to replicate the same form in his second season due to multiple injuries. He ended the 2024/2025 campaign with 11 goals and one assist in 27 games.
In that campaign, Boniface endured two failed transfers, one to Al-Nassr, and the other to AC Milan where his knee problems became public.
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Simon Rolfes reveals Victor Boniface's fitness status
The former Union St.Gillioise striker made a shock loan move to join Werder Bremen, where his career took a massive hit. His knee problems, coupled with massive weight gain, saw the footballer admit it was a tough spell for him in his career.
In the time he spent at the North-West of Germany, Boniface scored no goals in eleven games, before deciding to undergo surgery last December. He worked his way up to being in the matchday squad in four months, returning to Werder Bremen's training ground in April.
However, he failed to pay a game, and his loan deal with Daniel Thioune's side came to end.
Looking unto the 2026/2027 season, Simon Rolfes revealed that the striker's knee is in an excellent condition, before admitting he has a lot of work to do regarding his weight.
“The knee looks pretty good today. But the weight is a bit of his weak spot. It's our goal to get him back in top form. Then he has a chance to play for many teams,” the 44-year-old said in an interview with Sport Bild as revealed by Rheinpfalz.
“We text every few days. We will never forget what Boniface did for us in the season we won the league. That's when he embodied what we needed, this attack mode,” Rolfes concluded.
Boniface's contract at the Bay Arena runs until the summer of 2028. In his absence, Leverkusen finished 6th in the Bundesliga, sealing qualification to the UEFA Europa League.
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