Boniface cites Wirtz as reason he joined Leverkusen
In an interview with German website "Sportbuzzer", Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface was unflinching in his response to why he decided to join Germany's red company team this past summer.
Asked why he - despite interest from plenty of other Bundesliga sides - opted to sign on with Bayer 04 Leverkusen this summer, Nigerian striker Victor Boniface cited German phenom Florian Wirtz as the main reason. In an interview with German website sportbuzzer.de, Boniface said he quickly realized that he wished to play with the 20-year-old after seeing him in action during last year's Europa League campaign.
"I realized that Flo was a brilliant footballer and magician," Boniface told the website, "When my agent told me about Bayer's interest, it was immediately clear to me that I would love to play in a team with him."
Boniface's confidence in his prospective teammate has certainly paid off. After scoring 12 goals and pocketing seven assists across all competitions this season, the 22-year-old has seen his estimated market worth rise from €6 million last spring to €40 million in the latest transfermarkt update. The Nigerian international is expected to be one of the big stars in next month's Africa Cup of Nations.
Boniface made sure to credit Werkself trainer Xabi Alonso as a major reason why both he and Germany's red company team are thriving this year. The undefeated leaders of the Bundesliga table have not yet lost in competitive play during the current cycle. Xabi, in Boniface's words, was "a player who won everything one can win". Having been coached by Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, and Carlo Ancelloti also helped mold the B04 trainer.
"He is a strategist who understands the game right down to the smallest detail," Boniface said of Xabi, "but he's also a fighter who demands 100 percent from us."