Victor Boniface looking to win Bundesliga Rookie of the month for the fourth straight time
Bayer Leverkusen’s three-time winner Victor Boniface tops the list of nominees for November’s Rookie of the Month award in the Bundesliga.
Also listed are Xavi Simons of RB Leipzig and Freiburg’s Merlin Röhl.
‘Boniface has made the Rookie of the Month award his own this year. Since joining Bayer Leverkusen from Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer, the striker has claimed the trophy in each of the first three months of this season,’ wrote Bundesliga.com.
The Nigerian’s back again for a fourth attempt in November, despite not scoring last month. Instead, he chipped in with two assists in the 3-2 win away at Hoffenheim on Matchday 10.
Boniface was his usual shot-happy self with 11 attempts, but he is much more than just a classic centre-forward. He also set up three attempts for teammates, meaning he was directly involved in a shot on goal every 18 minutes on average.
According to Bundesliga.com, Boniface looks the complete striker. As well as taking and teeing up shots, the 22-year-old also gets stuck into challenges, winning 52 percent of duels in November.
‘He’s an important factor with his physicality, holding up the ball and creating space for his teammates,’ said sporting director Simon Rolfes.
Boniface did get on the scoresheet away from the Bundesliga last month, ensuring Leverkusen’s progress to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League as group winners with a 1-0 win over Qarabag in Azerbaijan.
