Max Wober is now back on international duty with Austria after a strange few weeks at Leeds United since Euro 2024.
Wober‘s future during the tournament remained very much up in the air as Leeds opted to wait until it was over before holding talks upon his return.
Daniel Farke has repeatedly made Wober’s commitment to Leeds this season publicly clear, yet there was still an element of doubt regarding whether he’d stay right up until the deadline.
Wober has been unable to assert himself back into the starting XI unlike fellow returning loanee Brenden Aaronson, who is well on the road to redemption.
Speculation also seemingly lingered for much of the summer about whether he would join Borussia Monchengladbach again, who never ruled out the possibility of a move.
Wober opens up on current Leeds situation while away with Austria
Wober has so far only appeared in one of Leeds’ matches across all competitions, which came from the start in a 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup.
Unfortunately, Wober did not do too much to stake a claim that night, and so has been stuck behind both Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon for a place at centre-back.
Given they are both left-footed, Wober is effectively competing directly with Struijk, but the Dutchman has been one of Leeds’ best players and won’t be dropped anytime soon.
Wober could get the opportunity for some game time in the coming days with Austria, where he was asked in an interview about his current lack of minutes.
Speaking to Sky Sports Austria, Wober claimed he thoroughly understands the current situation he is in and says if he was Farke, he would not make a change either.
He said: “We are three central defenders who are at a very similar level. If we remain successful and nothing happens, I wouldn’t change much as a coach. So I have to stand back and wait for the chance.
“I’m at Leeds, that’s a perfect fit for me. I never said that I absolutely wanted to leave. I accepted this challenge, but I know that it won’t be easy to work my way back to the same position as before.
“The chance to play in the Premier League again is huge because on paper we have the best team and a broad squad. Our goal is clearly promotion.”
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Wober’s chance at Leeds will come at some point
Unfortunately for Wober, he has put himself in this situation and very much has an uphill battle if he is to dislodge Struijk anytime soon.
Farke labelled Struijk as key to Leeds’ future while he was out injured last term, and his seamless return to action has only emphasised that.
However, there are bound to be injuries over the course of a 46-game season and Wober simply has to be ready when his time comes, which it will.
If he can get back to the levels he showed in his first few weeks as a Leeds player he could certainly be a useful asset this season.
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