Lothar Matthäus has a simple message for Julian Nagelsmann: return Joshua Kimmich to where he can make the biggest impact.
Speaking about the captain of the German national team, Matthäus did not hold back in his assessment:
“Do him a favor and take him out of the backline. I don’t see Joshua on the pitch, who I’ve known for many years. At Bayern Munich he is an absolute world-class player. In terms of his body language and position, I don’t see him as someone who leads the team or makes an impact when things aren’t going well. From a right-back position he just can’t seem to cope with it,” Matthäus told Bild (as captured by Goal).
This criticism was repeated by many Bayern Munich fans throughout the World Cup. While Kimmich has been reliable at right-back, Germany may have lost one of the world’s best midfield managers in the process.
In central midfield, Kimmich sets the tempo, pressing aggressively and constantly looking to move the ball forward. His passing range and leadership are much more noticeable when he is in midfield rather than on the far side of the pitch, where his influence naturally becomes more limited.
Nagelsmann trusted Kimmich at right-back due to Germany’s defensive needs, but some creativity and control in midfield had to be sacrificed as a result. With stronger opponents approaching in the playoffs, it may be time to reconsider that balance.
If Germany want the very best version of their captain, Matthäus believes the solution is clear: move Kimmich back into central midfield and let him control the game, as he does week after week at Bayern Munich.
Do you agree with Matthäus? Should Nagelsmann bring Kimmich back into midfield or should Germany keep him at right-back?