Leeds United defender Maximilian Wöber has opened up about his feelings on staying at Elland Road after a summer of intense speculation and rumours that he was eager to leave the club.
Leeds United endured a turbulent summer following their failure to secure promotion, leading to a significant reshuffle within the squad. The club’s playoff final defeat triggered the sales of key players such as Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter, with a total of 16 players departing Elland Road. These moves brought in a staggering £140 million, helping to stabilise the club financially as they prepared for another season in the Championship.
Despite the exodus, one player who unexpectedly stayed put was Austrian defender Maximilian Wöber. The 26-year-old joined Leeds in January 2023 from Red Bull Salzburg for £10.1 million and made a decent impression during his brief stint in the Premier League, even though the club ultimately suffered relegation.
Wöber’s contract, like many others at Leeds, contained a clause allowing him to leave on loan following relegation. Last season, the Austria international opted to join Borussia Mönchengladbach on a season-long loan, a decision that reportedly frustrated Leeds manager Daniel Farke, who had hoped Wöber would stay and fight for promotion. Wöber played 27 times for the German club, who were keen to make the move permanent. However, Leeds’ £8.5 million asking price proved to be a sticking point, and the deal fell through, leaving the defender in an awkward situation as he returned to England.
With Leeds remaining in the Championship, Wöber’s future remained uncertain as the summer transfer window progressed. Speculation swirled that he might be on the move again, but no further deals materialised. Now back at Elland Road, he finds himself in a battle for a starting spot, with both Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon ahead of him in the central defensive hierarchy.
Wöber’s opportunities have been limited so far this season. His only appearance to date was in the 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Middlesbrough, and based on that performance, he has done little to suggest he will displace Struijk, who has been in outstanding form. As a result, Wöber has spent most of the campaign watching from the sidelines.
However, the Austrian international has now broken his silence on the situation. Speaking to Sky Sports Austria while on international duty, Wöber provided an honest assessment of his standing at Leeds. “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,” he said.
Despite the limited game time, Wöber is adamant he never wanted to leave the club. “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,” he added.
Wöber remains optimistic about Leeds’ chances of securing promotion this season. “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,” he explained.
Having made 20 appearances for Leeds so far, Wöber may struggle for consistent playing time this season if Struijk and Rodon continue to perform well, particularly with captain Ethan Ampadu also able to fill in at centre-back. Nonetheless, Wöber insists he is ready to contribute whenever called upon and could prove to be a valuable asset as the Championship season progresses.
Our View
Wöber’s situation at Leeds is an interesting one. On the one hand, it’s clear that he’s not the first choice in defence right now, but on the other, his attitude seems spot on. His willingness to bide his time and fight for his place is exactly what you want to see in a player, especially in a league as gruelling as the Championship. Injuries, suspensions, and fixture congestion are all part of the game, and Wöber’s experience could be crucial as the season unfolds.
As for his comments about the Premier League, it’s refreshing to see a player so openly ambitious while staying grounded about his current role. Leeds undoubtedly have one of the strongest squads in the division, and if Wöber can keep his head down and make the most of his opportunities, he might just find himself back in the top flight sooner than expected.
Leave a Reply