It’s only four matches, but Leeds United have gone with a backline of Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Junior Firpo that has led to being unbeaten (two wins and two draws) so far this 2024-25 season.
The question now is where that leaves Maximilian Wöber, as the 26-year-old now has to fight his way into manager Daniel Farke’s starting eleven. Wöber spent last season on loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach, making 27 total appearances while scoring two goals and registering three assists.
Wöber’s tenure with the Bundesliga side didn’t become permanent, nor did he have a move to a top-flight club this past summer transfer window. As a result, he’s back at Leeds, where he’s under contract until 2027, and has to fight for a spot on the backline.
Does Leeds have the best defender in the Championship?
Although the Austrian center-back has yet to play for Leeds in league play so far this season, one journalist believes that The Whites have the best defender in the Championship on their bench.
In an interview with LeedsUnited.News, transfer expert Graeme Bailey said that, if given the opportunity, Wöber still has the potential to become the best defender in the division.
“During the summer, he thought he would be going back to the top-flight, but he is a top-flight player,” Bailey told the outlet. “We know he is. Rodon and Wöber, could I see that being Leeds’ center-back partnership going forward? I wouldn’t rule it out – it’s a Premier League pairing.
“But Wöber can play that holding midfield role, potentially against some of the best teams he could start alongside Ampadu in there. I think Wober will play a big part if he can turn his head back on, he’s potentially the best defender in the division.”
The next few months will determine whether Wöber wants to fight for the starting center-back job, given the long season, injuries, and poor performances, or whether the shock of playing in the Championship will lead to an awkward situation.
Wöber is capable of starting for Leeds; the ball is in his court as to how he wants to handle the situation.
