Leeds United needed the 2-0 win over Derby County on Saturday to get back on winning ways and burnish their credentials as the top contender for automatic promotion. However, it was not all plain sailing as Leeds had to make an early change when Junior Firpo picked up an injury and Max Wober, who made just two league appearances previously this season, had to replace him.
Wober has been a bit part player at Leeds this season. He has made just two league appearances ahead of Saturday’s game and has been linked with a move away from Elland Road in the next transfer window.
The Austrian missed a chunk of games earlier in the season due to a knee injury and has been playing catch-up since then. The rumours of his departure have not surprised many as Wober is still rated highly in Europe.
Red Bull Salzburg are interested in securing a deal to take him back to Austria and his potential departure has sparked conversations about Leeds getting players from the Red Bull network in the winter window.
There is an expectation that the Austrian giants will table an offer to sign him in the winter window but Wober showed his worth to Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday.
Keeping Wober at Leeds United this season will be worth it
Daniel Farke is known for being a reticent spender in the winter window and is said to be wary of affecting the harmony in his squad by bringing in new players in January.
Wober is an international defender and hasn’t said much about being frustrated despite not getting the number of opportunities he would have liked this season.
Moving him on would mean Leeds would need to bring in a replacement and it would be hard to sign someone of the required quality in the middle of the season.
Wober might not be the first choice, but he will definitely have a role to play once injuries and suspensions bite into the strength of the squad in the latter half of the season.
The Austrian came on and scored in Leeds’ 2-0 win and minimised the impact of Firpo’s injury in a crucial game for Leeds. There is a certainty that the Whites will face more such scenarios in due course, which will test the depth of their squad.
Wober is a solid cover at both centre-back and left-back and keeping him around for the rest of the season could turn out to be crucial in the grand scheme of things.
Farke would also prefer to hold on to him as there is no need to weaken the squad in the winter window if they don’t get replacements of the required quality.
Sam Byram and Ethan Ampadu’s return could still affect Wober’s opportunities
Wober is happy to get more game time but it could again get a bit more complicated for him in the coming weeks if injuries for Leeds United start clearing up.
Byram is set to return following a brief layoff due to an injury but the biggest issue for Wober would be the return of club captain Ethan Ampadu.
The Welshman’s knee injury earlier in the season was a big blow for Leeds but he is on his way back to the team in the coming days. The Leeds captain can feature in the full-back and centre-back positions, which will directly impact the Austrian’s game time.
However, Leeds are set to embark on a busy run of fixtures and Farke will have to juggle his squad to ensure that the players remain fresh for the rest of the season.
Wober will hope that the busy period of games will ensure that he gets the opportunities needed to further prove his worth in the Leeds squad.
