Werder Bremen midfielder Jens Stage has shared his thoughts on the potential, and largely unexpected, return of his teammate Victor Boniface. The Nigerian forward’s season with the Bundesliga club, where he is on loan, seemed to have ended prematurely after undergoing knee surgery in early January. However, recent developments suggest Boniface could still feature before the current season concludes.
Victor Boniface’s Challenging Start at Werder
Boniface, a professional from Bayer Leverkusen, joined Werder Bremen late in the summer transfer window, having previously failed a medical at AC Milan. His initial period at Werder was fraught with difficulties. He struggled significantly with regaining full match fitness and maintaining his weight, often appearing uncomfortable and inconsistent on the field. Beyond his on-pitch struggles, a series of enigmatic social media updates raised concerns about the 25-year-old’s mental well-being. Both parent club Leverkusen and loan club Werder reportedly welcomed his temporary removal from the limelight through surgery, hoping it would provide an opportunity for him to regroup.
Boniface’s Road to Recovery
Werder’s sporting director, Peter Niemeyer, recently announced that Boniface is set to resume individual training this week. With approximately seven weeks left in the season, there’s a tangible possibility that he could make an appearance for the loan club before the campaign ends. Meanwhile, Werder Bremen has shown promising form, escaping the immediate threat of relegation by securing three wins in their last four Bundesliga matches. Despite this positive run, their current tally of 28 points from 27 league rounds means their safety in the top flight is not yet fully secured.
Werder’s Striker Shortage
Bremen’s squad is currently facing a significant void in natural strikers. The only dedicated forward, young Keke Topp, recently sustained a season-ending injury while representing Germany’s U21s during the international break. In recent successful outings, players like Justin Njinmah, Marco Grüll, Stuttgart loanee Jovan Milosevic, and even the team’s leading goalscorer, Jens Stage, have been stepping up to fill the attacking gaps. Compounding the issue, Stage himself is now battling an injury.
Jens Stage Expresses Support for Boniface
Danish midfielder Jens Stage voiced his strong support for Boniface. He told Kicker, “I hope he returns in good spirits, just as he was in the autumn. Hopefully, he’ll quickly get up to speed and be able to help us on the pitch. He arguably possesses more potential than anyone else in the squad and is undeniably a skilled footballer.”
Stage further added, “I genuinely don’t see any significant downsides when it comes to Victor. He’s well-liked in the locker room; a cool individual who brings a lot of fun to the team.”
