Before the home game against Galatasaray, a debate broke out at FC Bayern about Joshua Kimmich, who was recently suspended from the Bundesliga and was hardly missed. On Wednesday, his former national team colleague Sami Khedira took a stand.
How does Joshua Kimmich help FC Bayern the most? As a six? On the right side of defense? Or even on the substitutes bench? The experts disagree.
The role of the all-rounder on Säbener Straße has been controversial for months; critics see Kimmich as a main reason for the vulnerability of the Munich backline.
In the 2-1 win against Galatasaray in the Champions League, coach Thomas Tuchel had the 28-year-old back in the control center alongside Leon Goretzka. Kimmich justified the trust over long stretches and earned it sport.de-Grade 2.5.
Next Saturday, however, Kimmich will have to watch again against 1. FC Heidenheim; the ban following his emergency stop against Darmstadt 98 does not expire until after the 11th matchday. Konrad Laimer should then replace him, as he did against BVB.
FC Bayern: Khedira jumps to Kimmich’s side
As an expert for the streaming service “DAZN”, ex-national player Sami Khedira was in the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening and commented on the Kimmich case.
“He can play world-class in both positions, but Joshua Kimmich needs the backing of the coach, the club management, his teammates and the national coach,” the 2014 world champion made clear.
The Bayern star “has already been through a lot in his younger years,” noted Khedira, adding: “He is an absolute top player and leader.”
Although he would “sometimes go crazy”, that was “part of his personality”. Khedira decided: “For me, a Kimmich with these qualities must always play.”