BVB club icon Jürgen Kohler is critical of the role of Joshua Kimmich from FC Bayern in the German national soccer team.
Although Kimmich is “an outstanding footballer, a leader and an outstanding game designer”, Kohler praised the 27-year-old midfielder in a “kicker” column. “But he’s not the defensive six you need to get stability in front of the back line. He’s showing too many deficiencies defensively for that.”
According to Kohler, the DFB team lacks “a type of player that the Italian Jorginho ideally embodies: strong in one-on-one battles and technically good, team-oriented and inconspicuous”.
The Chelsea star “interprets his role in such a way that all defenders and midfield colleagues benefit,” enthused Kohler.
Defensive “the main problem” of the national team
Also because of the Kimmich cause, the defensive is “the main problem” in the German squad with regard to the Winter World Cup in Qatar, according to the 1990 world champion.
On the offensive, Kohler sees “many good opportunities” for national coach Hansi Flick, “from veteran Thomas Müller to Kai Havertz, who is ten years his junior”. Manuel Neuer from FC Bayern is also “the best keeper in the world”.
DFB squad “justified” without BVB professionals
The fact that not a single BVB professional can be found in the current DFB squad is “justified due to injuries, illnesses and a lack of form,” said Kohler, who was once sung in Dortmund as the “football god”.
“But I don’t think it will stay that way. Marco Reus has the best chance of returning. Emre Can also belongs in the DFB squad, he can bring in the combative element,” said the 56-year-old.
Kohler puts a question mark behind BVB defense chief Mats Hummels. It remains to be seen “whether he can come close to repeating his previous achievements,” wrote the former international.
All in all, the question of Germany’s standing in an international comparison is “difficult to answer,” said Kohler. “Seven wins at the start under Hansi Flick were important for the mood and self-confidence, qualifying for the World Cup was effortless and early on – but you shouldn’t overestimate all of that, the previous opponents weren’t strong enough.”