Decisions regarding the futures of Max Wober and Rasmus Kristensen at Leeds United remain unresolved more than a week after their Euro 2024 exits. Both defenders left the club following relegation last summer and spent the past year on loan. Now, new plans need to be formulated for them.
Among the eight players with senior Leeds experience returning from loans this summer, Wober and Kristensen are the only two with uncertain futures. Brenden Aaronson is set to compete for minutes at Elland Road next season, while the other five have already secured new departures.
Wober and Kristensen each have three years left on their contracts and do not have active clauses allowing them to leave on loan if their wages are paid in full. Ironically, Daniel Farke’s current squad could benefit from an additional right-back and a left-footed defender. Currently, Sam Byram is the only senior player with right-back experience and is also needed at left-back. Meanwhile, Pascal Struijk and Ethan Ampadu can play on the left side of central defense, but Ampadu might be required in midfield, and Wober’s capability at left-back would support both Byram and Junior Firpo.
Another aspect of their situation is that both players initially indicated they would stay after last year’s relegation. Farke’s initial plans included them, but they soon decided to leave. Aaronson has demonstrated that there can be a way back for those who spent last season on loan, but Farke needs to see the potential in such a decision. While Kristensen did not participate in the Euros with Denmark, his country’s involvement ended on June 29, and his return date is set for shortly before the friendly against Harrogate Town.
Wober finished playing in Germany on July 2 and is expected to return in time for the training camp there. There has been more speculation about Wober’s next club than Kristensen’s. Wober started 24 of Borussia Monchengladbach’s 34 Bundesliga matches, while Kristensen started 19 of Roma’s 38 Serie A games. Monchengladbach has been strongly linked with bringing Wober back, but have been frustrated by Leeds United’s reported eight-figure asking price.
On June 19, Wober said, “At the moment, there is total radio silence on both sides. I learned from Leeds that there will be talks after the European Championship. They want me to focus on Austria for now. In Gladbach, I said goodbye to everyone and thanked them for the great year. So far, I haven’t heard anything about it.”
If Farke and either player agree to give it another try next season, they will need to have thick skins in the opening weeks of the campaign. United’s fans will always support those wearing white, but, like Aaronson, this pair would need to work hard to regain favor.
