Former professional Markus Babbel has spoken out with clear criticism of national player Joshua Kimmich from FC Bayern.
Coach Thomas Tuchel was “not happy” with Kimmich in the top game against Bayer Leverkusen (2:2) and therefore replaced him after just over an hour, Babbel speculated to “ran.de”.
“For me that was a prime example of why Tuchel really wants the ‘Holding Six’. Florian Wirtz did what he wanted. Kimmich couldn’t get the spaces between the back four and the six under control at all,” rumbled the European champion from 1996.
Kimmich “often ran after Wirtz and didn’t even know where he was. As a result, Leverkusen got better and better into the game and stood up to FC Bayern and hurt them,” explained Babbel.
Teammate Konrad Laimer “couldn’t manage it either” after Kimmich was substituted.
In the final phase, after being substituted, the regular central defender Matthijs de Ligt played in the six position. “That’s what Tuchel has been preaching for weeks and months. The defensive-minded element is missing. That’s the really big problem that Tuchel has recognized. But he hasn’t been heard,” said Babbel.
FC Bayern: Joshua Kimmich “doesn’t do justice to his task”
The six-man has to “help the central defenders,” emphasized the former defender, “and Kimmich has not been able to do this job justice for almost two years.”
Against this background, the 28-year-old “has to question himself sometimes,” said Babbel, and should not be offended if he is substituted. “Kimmich is a gifted footballer, but for whatever reason he doesn’t do his job. He wants to get involved in the offensive, wants to shine with passes and assists.”
In any case, Kimmich played “his best games” in a position other than in the center of midfield, Babbel explained: as a right-back.