It was a tough summer for Leeds United who missed out on promotion and sold Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.
These departures, along with many others, brought the club a whopping £140 million.
But one player that did remain with the club was Wober, which caught some people by surprise.
Although Wober had a release clause in his deal that he could join out on loan, he opted to stay and fight for his spot.
This decision did not sit well with Leeds’ manager Daniel Farke, especially after Wober had initially agreed to join Borussia Monchengladbach on a season-long loan, only for that move not going through due to high transfer fees demanded by Leeds.
Wober’s Struggle for Game Time
Wober has found himself lower in the pecking order this season, sitting behind Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon, who have both been in excellent form.
His only appearance so far was in a disappointing 3-0 loss to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup. Despite this, Wober remains optimistic and committed to his role at Leeds.
“We are three central defenders who are at a very similar level,” Wober told Sky Sports Austria.
“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.”
Wober also insisted that he never wanted to leave Leeds, describing his situation as ‘perfect.’
He acknowledged the challenge of getting back into the starting lineup but sees it as an opportunity to prove himself.
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,” Wober added.
Patrick Bamford’s Struggles and Fortunate Stay
Another player who stayed at Leeds over the summer was striker Patrick Bamford.
Despite battling injuries and a drop in form, Bamford was not sold by the club, much to the surprise of many, including former midfielder Carlton Palmer.
Bamford, now 30, is one of the last remaining players from Leeds’ last promotion winning squad.
While Bamford played 33 games last season, he only managed 9 goals and has now lost his spot to younger striker Mateo Joseph.
His struggle with injuries has led to a decline in his performance, but Bamford remains hopeful of regaining his form.
“He’s proven that he can score goals in the Championship,” said Carlton Palmer. “But since then, it’s been terrible with injuries.
In 2021/22, 9 games and 2 goals in the Premier League. 2022/23, 28 games and 4 goals. Last season, 33 games and eight goals. He has fallen off.”
Palmer also noted that Bamford was fortunate to still be at Leeds, highlighting the need for a consistent and fit goal-scorer.
Looking Forward
Despite the challenges faced by Wober and Bamford, both players remain key parts of Leeds United’s plans as the club aims for promotion back to the Premier League.
Wober’s loyalty and Bamford’s determination to bounce back will be crucial in Leeds’ journey through the Championship this season.
For Leeds fans, seeing players like Wober and Bamford fight for their places is a reminder of the club’s resilience.
The road to promotion is never easy, but with dedication and teamwork, Leeds United hopes to return to the top flight soon.
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