Victor Boniface Werder Bremen. Copyright: ImagoxSvenxHeidmannx
Despite having only just returned to team training with Werder Bremen, Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has come under intense scrutiny over his weight, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 25-year-old is enduring a torrid season. He’s seen his market value plummet by over 25 million euros due to injury problems and lack of playing time.
Boniface has also been vocal about his mental struggles, taking to his social media page to post ‘Depression is real’.
Bayer 04 Sporting Director Simon Rolfes also mentioned the possibility of an ongoing internal battle with the Nigerian, who has gone from being a regular at the BayArena to not playing a game in five months.
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The Bayer 04 Leverkusen loanee was tipped for first-team action in the final week of April, having done well in his rehabilitation program, but that could’ve been set further back.
Werder’s coach Daniel Thioune weighed in on the striker’s situation, claiming he understands the struggles.
“If, as a young player who has been successful and still wants to see a lot of the world, you get told that you can’t play football in the next few months or even a year, it does something to the psyche,” the German coach said in quotes revealed by BILD.
“As soon as I feel like he’s ready, he’s going to get time. But when I think of duels with teams on an equal footing, it’s a way to threaten the opponent with him again,” Daniel Thioune concluded.
However, one-time German Champion with Werder Bremen, Aílton Goncalves, doesn’t share Thioune’s optimism. Instead, the Brazilian insists Boniface gets into shape.
“The belly is incredible. He absolutely has to lose weight. For me, it is clear: in this form, he cannot be a help for Werder. I don’t see that he’s still scoring goals for Werder this season,” the 52-year-old told BILD.
“I was often told, ‘Ailton is a little thick. If he were to lose weight, he would be even faster and more dangerous.’ But that was nonsense. I was still very fast and did very well with my body.
“He is challenged and must now work on himself. But the season is not long. I wonder how big his motivation is,” the one-time Torjägerkanone winner concluded.
Boniface wasn’t in the match squad as Werder Bremen lost to FC Koln. He’s also edging towards his first season as a professional footballer without a goal.