Trouble in paradise for Boniface as Werder Bremen boss lashes out at Super Eagles star

Werder Bremen coach Horst Steffen criticised Victor Boniface for his performance in a humiliating 3-0 home loss to Freiburg

Werder Bremen’s new marquee signing Victor Boniface is already under the microscope, as head coach Horst Steffen openly criticised the Nigerian striker following their 3-0 Bundesliga defeat to SC Freiburg.

The Bayer Leverkusen loanee has yet to start a game, and his cameo off the bench left his manager unimpressed.

Steffen unimpressed with Boniface’s positioning

Boniface entered the match hoping to make an impact, but instead of sticking to his natural centre-forward role, he roamed across the pitch in search of the ball.

His willingness to help out defensively and link up play was acknowledged, but it also meant Bremen lacked a proper focal point in attack.

Steffen, who had previously praised Boniface’s potential and physicality, was blunt in his assessment after the game.

Speaking to Sky Germany, he said the 24-year-old was “too all over the place,” adding, “It’s okay for him to remain stationary in the center. It wasn’t how I wanted it to be.

“It wasn’t just him, but a lot of the guys who weren’t staying in their positions. We have to stick to our positions so we can overload them again and again. That’s something I’ll be addressing.”

Pressure mounting on Bremen’s €40m-rated forward

For a player valued at around €40m, expectations are inevitably high. Steffen admitted that Boniface will eventually become the leader of his attack, especially given the lack of alternatives up front, but warned that the striker must first return to basics.

The Nigerian has now made two substitute appearances without truly influencing the scoreline, bar an assist, and patience among fans may wear thin if his adaptation takes too long.

Steffen’s message was firm: Bremen need a consistent goalscoring presence, not a restless forward drifting across the pitch.

With more opportunities sure to come, Boniface will have to prove he can balance his work ethic with the ruthless finishing instincts that made him one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting attackers at Leverkusen.