Maximilian Wöber has seemingly spent much of the week speaking to the Austrian media about his situation at Leeds United. First, he told everyone he didn’t really want to leave the Championship this summer, having spent last season on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Bundesliga club had wanted to take him back but went public on a number of occasions to say Leeds United were just asking for too much money. There was often talk about the Whites wanting a ‘double digit’ transfer fee, so €10m+, and that was considered just too much.
After that, Wöber said he needs to be patient to get into Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side, because the manager has three centre back of equal ability. Then, the 26-year-old suggested a calf injury had been partly behind him sitting on the bench.
So, after all of this, Wöber really needed to perform for his national side against Slovenia in the UEFA Nations League.
And that he did!
Kurier, one of Austria’s main national newspapers, report he and RB Leipzig’s Nicolas Seiwald were the pick of the bunch in the 1-1 draw.
Wöber was given a rating of 2.
Yes, we know what you’re thinking, even out of 5, 2 isn’t great. However, the gradings in Austria and Germany work on the school marking system there, so it’s a case of the lower the better and 2s aren’t handed out for fun.
This is what Kurier said: ‘You couldn’t tell that he hadn’t had enough match practice at Leeds United, where he hasn’t played a single minute this season. He won a few duels in the air, was quick to act and reliable in the rest of the defence until the end. He held his own and tried to put pressure on the forwards with a few quick runs down his left side until the end.
‘The long-standing player under Rangnick impressed as usual with his overview, well-conducted duels and important ball recoveries in tricky situations. You can always rely on this man, and he only makes a few mistakes in his passing game.’
Wöber is very much back, and that can only be a good thing for Leeds United.
