Daniel Farke has been speaking in his press conference on Monday ahead of Tuesday night’s clash against Middlesbrough and the Leeds United manager was asked about Max Wober.
The Austria international came off the bench on Saturday after just 20 minutes due to a hamstring injury suffered by Junior Firpo. His first meaningful appearance of the Championship season in a Leeds shirt.
Of course, not only did Wober play 70 minutes for Leeds but he also scored his first goal for the club. A striker’s finish from close range after Brenden Aaronson’s deflected cross found Wober in the box.
With Firpo ruled out for Christmas and Jayden Bogle a doubt, Wober is expected to start on the left side of the defence on Tuesday night with Sam Byram likely to cover on the right, after recovering himself.
Daniel Farke shares how he is trying to improve Max Wober
Of course, Wober was bought from Salzburg for a fee of £10m in January 2023. The left-footed ace was eyed as a centre-back and that remains in his natural position, but is now tasked with playing full-back.
Something he has done before, though Wober’s strengths are more defensive – unlike Firpo, who gets forward whenever he can. Farke says he is been trying to help Wober improve going forward, in training.
“We knew he could play this position. He has played there for other clubs and for his country, but often more of a solid defender that closes the wings. But we have worked a lot on our offensive game with him.
“He’s perhaps not natural going forward, but he has a great mentality and always puts a shift in. If you do this, he has good technique and put a cross in, then you can effect the offense. Really good performance.”
Daniel Farke on whether Junior Firpo blow changes January plans
Farke has made it clear he expects a quiet January. But with Firpo now injured until the middle of January, the Leeds manager was asked if he could enter the January window to try and sign a new left-back.
“To be honest, it affects us only in December. If the rehab goes well, he should be back at some point in January and then we don’t have to think about another option in this position,” Farke said about Firpo.
However, if Wober departs, then that means Leeds will be another man light on the left. Salzburg are said to be keen on bringing Wober back, while Wolves have been touted as a possible landing spot for Wober.
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