Daniel Farke already appears to have found his Leeds United back four of choice for the season.
Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Junior Firpo have started all four matches alongside one another so far, with Leeds keeping clean sheets in each of the last three.
There had been some question marks over whether Farke would persist with Ethan Ampadu at centre-back following his fine run in the side next to Rodon during the second half of the season.
However, even when Struijk was out, Farke made it clear the Dutchman would be a key part of Leeds‘ future and his return to the side has been nothing but seamless.
With Ampadu now firmly back in his best midfield role, Isaac Schmidt, Sam Byram and Max Wober are the players currently fighting to try and push their way into the side.
Journalist makes claim about Max Wober at Leeds
Providing everyone is able to stay fit, it is hard to see when any of Schmidt, Byram or Wober will be able to get a sustained run in the side.
Given Byram’s age and history of fitness issues, this is a role he was probably expecting when the one-year extension in his contract was triggered in the summer.
And coming from Switzerland, Schmidt is also likely to have recognised he will need to be patient in his quest for opportunities, but the situation is slightly different with Wober.
Wober was an £11 million signing made when Leeds were still in the Premier League and has been a top-flight defender all of his career, including on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach last season.
As such, now being second choice for a Championship club will come as somewhat of a shock to him, with Wober still yet to play a single minute of league action so far.
While his only appearance in the Carabao Cup did nothing to push his way into the team, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News he still has the potential to be the best defender in the division if given the chance.
He said: “During the summer he thought he would be going back to the top-flight, but he is a top-flight player. We know he is. Rodon and Wober, could I see that being Leeds’ centre-back partnership going forward? I wouldn’t rule it out – it’s a Premier League pairing.
“But Wober 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.”
What Wober has said about being second choice at Leeds
Wober is currently away on international duty with Austria where he will hopefully get some minutes under his belt to build match sharpness.
The Leeds man was asked in an interview this week about how he is currently faring as second choice and admitted he is happy to be patient due to the form of others.
He said: “We are three central defenders who are at a very similar level. 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.
“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.”
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