Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has stated that Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface would have to prove his quality again to get a starting shirt back from Patrik Schick.
Boniface is currently recovering from an injury which has seen him miss eight games for the German champions while Schick has taken advantage of the moment and has been scoring for fun. The Czech star has registered nine goals in his last eight games for Die Werkself.
In Bayer Leverkusen’s last game against Freiburg, he scored four goals to help them seal a 5-1 win.
Following Schick’s performance, Leverkusen boss Alonso was questioned on Boniface’s chances of reclaiming his starting shirt when he returns from injury and the Spanish tactician revealed that he would decide who qualifies to start based on their performances in training and game situations.
“I have difficulty in choosing players to use in all the positions, I like to have it,” Alonso told Oma Akatugba.
“What we want is that everyone is fighting for a position to get better and help the team.
“We’ll have so many games, all the players will have their moments. But the most important is that in the same way that Patrik Schick is in good form, we want to have Boniface in good form as well. We want him fully fit so that he forgets his injuries, he is working hard on the pitch, and scoring goals.
“Boniface and Schick decide who plays because the one that deserves and proves himself usually gets the chance.”
After joining Leverkusen from Royale Union SG last year, Boniface ended last season with 21 goals and ten assists in 34 appearances.
The Nigerian is expected to return to action in January.
