Lothar Matthäus, the 1990 World Cup‑winning captain, has never shied away from dissecting the German side’s tactical nuances.
In a recent interview, he turned his focus to Bayern Munich’s versatile midfielder Joshua Kimmich, insisting that the 28‑year‑old would be far more influential if deployed centrally.
Matthäus pointed out that Kimmich’s command of tempo, his aggressive pressing and the breadth of his passing are hallmarks of his performances for Bayern, yet they appear muted when he is anchored at right‑back for the national team.
The Midfield Alternative
The veteran believes that shifting Kimmich back into the heart of midfield could restore the creative spark Germany has struggled to find against increasingly sophisticated opponents.
He argues that a central role would allow the player to dictate play, link defence with attack and exercise the kind of leadership that once defined his Bayern side.
Julian Nagelsmann, Germany’s head coach, has kept Kimmich at right‑back largely out of necessity, given the team’s defensive frailties and the need for a reliable full‑back in a back‑four.
Nevertheless, Matthäus is convinced that the long‑term tactical health of the national side warrants a bold repositioning, especially as the squad faces tougher fixtures in the coming qualifiers.
If the experiment succeeds, Germany could see a more balanced midfield, greater possession retention and a clearer avenue for breaking down compact defenses.