Former national players see Kimmich under pressure in the DFB team
Quick Look
- Lothar Matthäus and Oliver Kahn express concerns about Joshua Kimmich's regular place in the national team after his loss in the international match against Greece.
- They see competition from Pavlovic, Bischof and Wirtz, while Michael Ballack emphasizes that Kimmich will not be weakened, but can be overtaken.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Joshua Kimmich initially played in the international matches against the Netherlands (1:1) and at home against Greece (0:1), but was subsequently no longer called up to national coach Jürgen Klopp's second squad. The DFB team then achieved a 2-0 win against Serbia with a newly formed midfield.
In the debate about Joshua Kimmich in the national team, ex-national players Lothar Matthäus and Oliver Kahn see the DFB captain under pressure. He had the feeling that the Bayern professional “no longer 100 percent” had a regular place, said Kahn in a panel of RTL experts before the Nations League game of national coach Jürgen Klopp’s DFB team in Greece.
«If Kimmich performs, then of course he is set. If Pavlovic plays stronger and Bishop or someone else, and Klopp sees him in Kimmich's position, then Kimmich will also have a hard time," said the record national player and former DFB captain Matthäus. The 65-year-old also emphasized: “But Joshua delivered for me in Amsterdam and was the best German field player for me. And that's why I don't see this discussion now."
Ballack sees competitors in the fast lane
The 31-year-old Kimmich will not be there again in Thessaloniki this Sunday evening as he is no longer part of Klopp's second squad after his appearances in the first international matches against the Netherlands (1-1) and at home against the Greeks (0-1). With a newly formed and very well-harmonized midfield with the Bayern duo Aleksandar Pavlovic and Tom Bischof as well as Florian Wirtz, the DFB selection celebrated its first victory in Munich with a 2-0 win against Serbia.
For Michael Ballack, once captain of the DFB team, Klopp's decision “doesn't mean that it weakens him”. At the same time, with a view to the other midfield players, he said: "There are players who can quickly overtake him."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Joshua Kimmich will only be used in future international matches if he improves his performance or if his competitors weaken.
Possible · Within weeks
The midfield with Pavlovic, Bischof and Wirtz remains first choice under Jürgen Klopp for the time being.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will Joshua Kimmich be considered again in future international matches?
- How does Jürgen Klopp assess the performance of Pavlovic, Bischof and Wirtz in the long term?
- Are there internal discussions in the DFB team about the midfield composition?
