Aílton Questions Victor Boniface’s Impact as Bremen Fight Relegation

Former Aílton Gonçalves da Silva has given a strong opinion on why Victor Boniface has struggled during his loan spell at Werder Bremen.

Boniface joined Bremen with high hopes, but things have not gone as planned. The Nigerian striker has failed to score in 11 Bundesliga matches and has only provided two assists. His situation became worse after he suffered a serious knee injury in December 2025, which required surgery and kept him out for a long time.

Even before the injury, there were concerns about his fitness. Sporting director Clemens Fritz revealed that the club had to monitor his weight and put him on a special training and diet plan.

Now back from recovery with parent club Bayer Leverkusen, Boniface is trying to regain form quickly as Bremen battle to avoid relegation with only a few matches left this season.

Fritz remains careful but hopeful about the striker’s chances of helping the team. He stressed that Boniface must reach full fitness before he can make a real impact.

Despite his struggles, Bremen still believe in Boniface’s ability. However, there are doubts about whether he can regain his sharpness in time to help the team at such a crucial stage.

Aílton, however, has taken a more direct stance. The former Bundesliga top scorer said he expected more from Boniface but believes several issues affected his performance.

He pointed to the striker’s injury problems and poor physical condition, adding that the team’s bad form at the time also made things difficult for him.

According to Aílton, the long absence after surgery has made it even harder for Boniface to find rhythm. He warned that it may be difficult for the striker to score goals before the season ends due to lack of time.

Meanwhile, head coach Daniel Thioune has shown more belief in the Nigerian forward. Although he admitted Boniface is not yet fully fit, he said the striker can still contribute in short periods during matches.

Thioune explained that what matters most is the player’s attitude and finishing ability, not just his weight. He added that Boniface could be useful in key matches, especially against direct rivals.

Bremen will face 1. FC Köln, Hamburger SV, and VfB Stuttgart this April, knowing they need positive results to move away from the relegation zone.