'Brutal' Boniface shows Arsenal and Chelsea why they need him

Tom Weber

• Updated: 20 Sept 2024 16:26 BST
• 4 min read

Victor Boniface's star continued to rise as one of Europe's most unique strikers put in a brilliant display on his Champions League debut.

The Nigerian is a man in form right now. Boniface put in a Man of the Match display against Hoffenheim at the weekend and he was again at his best as Bayer Leverkusen cruised past Feyenoord in the Champions League on Thursday.

A game initially billed as a tough test, Xabi Alonso's men made light work of the Dutch giants. Florian Wirtz has received the plaudits for his outstanding two-goal showing, but Boniface went viral on social media.

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That is because he produced an outrageous pass in the build-up to Leverkusen's second goal of the day, which was tucked home by Alejandro Grimaldo.

Boniface retained possession of the ball despite being challenged by two Feyenoord defenders and, after wriggling free, he set up Jeremie Frimpong's cross with a no-look, left-footed pass while feigning a shot.

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This wasn't the first time the 23-year-old successfully completed such a show of skill and, in fact, this type of pass is his 'signature move,' according to teammate Wirtz. "He is the best in the world [at this trick]. He can do extraordinary things with the ball," he said.

Granit Xhaka, meanwhile, revealed that "it's nothing new for us because he does it a lot in training. It's obviously brutal for the opponent. What is he doing? Is he going with the other foot? Is he playing the ball?"

Boniface is one of Europe's most unique strikers as he plays with the trickery and technical ability of a winger or a No.10 while being built like a towering centre-forward. He is blessed with good speed to boot, making him a nightmare to defend against.

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His only obvious flaw is the fact that he can be profligate with his chances and this, in conjunction with his two ACL injuries at just 23, means that Europe's elite have thus far refrained from taking a chance on him.

However, his form this season and for most of last term (when he was fit) makes it clear that it is only a matter of time before the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea - who were linked in the spring - come calling again.

Boniface looks destined for a lucrative transfer.