Wöber shows fighting spirit: National team start despite Leeds outlook!

Wöber shows fighting spirit: National team start despite Leeds outlook!

Maximilian Wöber, the Austrian footballer, has faced challenges in recent weeks marked by injuries and limited playing time. After only playing 395 minutes for Leeds United last season, which equates to less than four and a half games, the 26-year-old now seems to be aiming for a fresh start. Despite his limited playing experience, team boss Ralf Rangnick appointed Wöber to the national team. He was delighted with the nomination as he played his last full game in December last year.

Wöber was able to impress in the World Cup qualifier against Romania, which Austria won 2-1, by playing from the start. Rangnick decided to field him in place of Kevin Danso to make use of Wöber's strong left foot. His commitment was recognized not only by Rangnick, who described his performance as flawless, but also by goalkeeper Patrick Pentz and Christoph Baumgartner, who praised his skills in training and in the game. Wöber was strong defensively and played a crucial role offensively, especially in the first goal by Michael Gregoritsch.

A look into the future

Despite his successful performance against Romania, Wöber is already thinking about his future. His contract with Leeds United runs until 2027, but the club are apparently planning to sell him in the summer. “I don’t want to rot in England,” said Wöber, while expressing his hopes of being recommended to other clubs through a strong performance. His dismal spell at Leeds has led him to consider a move, particularly in the hope of more match practice and a better development of his career.

This season was not only marked by appearances on the field, but also by bad luck with injuries and two knee operations. Wöber has only had limited opportunities to demonstrate his skills, which further increases his motivation to achieve Austria's first World Cup participation since 1998. He feels comfortable in the national team and has great trust in the coaching team and his teammates.

Situation at Leeds United

The situation at Leeds United is not satisfactory for Wöber. He talks about the desire to draw attention to himself with his achievements. His goal is to find a suitable club in the coming transfer period so that he can play there regularly again. “I don’t have any concrete plans for the future, but I know that Leeds aren’t planning on me,” said Wöber after the game against Romania. The pressure on Wöber is noticeable as he wants to show that he can hold his own on the pitch, even after a long break from playing.

Wöber could ideally find a new home in the Bundesliga, where Borussia Mönchengladbach is one of the best-known addresses. The “Fohlen” have a rich history, teams such as the DFB Cup winners and UEFA Cup winners have produced many great players and were able to celebrate success in the 1970s. The current rankings and transfer activities show that there are also changes there that could interest Wöber.

The coming weeks will be crucial for Wöber and his next steps in his career. It remains to be seen whether he can use the opportunity to recommend himself for new challenges.

For further information about Wöber's last season and the national team, please refer to the reporting by laola1.at as well as oe24.at. For the situation surrounding Borussia Mönchengladbach please visit transfermarkt.at.