Bayer Leverkusen has emerged as a prominent football club in European football this season, capturing the attention of fans with their attacking style of play. One player who has particularly stood out is striker Victor Boniface. Signed for €20.5 million from Royale Union Saint Gilloise in the summer transfer window, the 22-year-old Nigerian forward has quickly made an impact at Leverkusen.
Prior to joining Leverkusen, Boniface had showcased his talent with Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, overcoming a ligament injury to score 23 goals and provide eight assists in 66 games. He then moved on to Union SG in the Jupiler Pro League, where he continued his impressive form with 17 goals and 12 assists in just one season. This ability to adapt to different leagues has translated well to his performances at Leverkusen.
In his first nine games for the club, Boniface has already scored eight goals and provided three assists. This impressive tally has put him at the top of various metrics among European strikers. He leads in total shots, is second only to Erling Haaland in shots on target, and ranks fifth for total goals and assists. It is clear that Boniface has seamlessly transitioned to the Bundesliga and shows no signs of slowing down.
One factor contributing to Boniface’s success is the system implemented by Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso. Since joining the club in October, Alonso has implemented a possession-based style that allows Leverkusen to dominate games and create scoring opportunities for their forwards. Opta statistics reveal that no Bundesliga team has created more build-up attacks with 10 or more passes than Leverkusen. Additionally, only Bayern Munich has more touches in the opponent’s box per game. This means that Boniface benefits from excellent service into the penalty box, leading to his impressive goal-scoring record.
In conclusion, Victor Boniface’s success at Leverkusen can be attributed to his tenacity and adaptability, as well as the system implemented by Xabi Alonso. The young Nigerian striker has quickly established himself as one of the most promising attacking talents in European football, and his performances this season demonstrate his potential for further growth.
