Suddenly there is discussion about Kimmich's regular place - that's how Kompany sees it

Although he left after two international matches and was no longer present in the German national team, Joshua Kimmich dominated the headlines to a certain extent. The issue surrounding the status of the captain was so intense that national coach Jürgen Klopp verbally capitulated when asked.

"I have no chance of answering the question in such a way that you don't manage to get the hang of it anyway. So, I'm giving up on the topic. Officially. Now," said Klopp before the final Nations League game in Greece (0-0) - and added: "I'm happy. I'm happy that Jo Kimmich is a German national player - and I'm happy about everyone else too."

Vincent Kompany, Kimmich's coach at FC Bayern, sees the discussion about the 116-time national player as much ado about nothing. “I often try to stay out of mini-debates,” said the record champions’ coach on RTL/Sky Sport.

The Belgian does not see any influence on FC Bayern. “I think it's the other way around, that the national team is influenced by what happens in a club,” said Kompany.

Kimmich was not part of the squad for the games against Serbia (2-0) and in Greece (0-0). The 31-year-old was only in the squad for 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 around the Bayern duo Aleksandar Pavlovic and Tom Bischof as well as Florian Wirtz, the selection of the German Football Association (DFB) celebrated its first victory in Munich with a 2-0 win against Serbia.

“Joshua delivered in Amsterdam,” says Matthäus

Record national player Lothar Matthäus and Oliver Kahn saw Kimmich under pressure in the debate about his status. Kahn said he had the feeling that the Bayern professional “no longer 100 percent” had a regular place.

In Matthäus' eyes, Kimmich, like others, has to prove himself again and again. "If Kimmich performs, then of course he's set. If Pavlovic plays better, as does Bischof or someone else, and Klopp sees him in Kimmich's position, then Kimmich will also have a hard time," said the 65-year-old: "But Joshua delivered for me in Amsterdam, was the best German field player for me. And that's why I don't see this discussion now."

For Michael Ballack, once captain of the DFB team, Klopp's decision “doesn't mean that it weakens him”. At the same time, looking at the other midfield players, he said: “There are players who can quickly overtake him.”