Lothar Matthäus has a simple message for Julian Nagelsmann: put Joshua Kimmich back where he can have the biggest impact.
Speaking about Germany’s captain, Matthäus did not hold back in his assessment:
“Do him a favour and get him out of the backline. I don’t see the Joshua on the pitch that I’ve known for years. At Bayern Munich, he is absolute world-class. In terms of his body language and positioning, I don’t see him as someone who leads the team or exerts influence when things aren’t going well. From the right-back spot, he just can’t seem to manage it,” Matthäus told Bild (as captured by Goal).
It is a criticism that many Bayern Munich supporters have echoed throughout the World Cup. While Kimmich has been dependable at right-back, Germany has arguably lost one of the world’s best midfield orchestrators in the process.
In central midfield, Kimmich dictates the tempo, presses aggressively, and constantly looks to move the ball forward. His passing range and leadership are far more noticeable when he is in the middle of the pitch rather than stationed out wide, where his influence naturally becomes more limited.
Nagelsmann has trusted Kimmich at right-back because of Germany’s defensive needs, but the trade-off has been sacrificing some creativity and control in midfield. With tougher knockout-stage opponents looming, it may be time to reconsider that balance.
If Germany wants to get the very best version of its captain, Matthäus believes the solution is obvious: move Kimmich back into central midfield and let him control the game the way he does week after week for Bayern Munich.
Do you agree with Matthäus? Should Nagelsmann move Kimmich back into midfield, or is Germany better off keeping him at right-back?
