move Joshua – Lothar Matthäus says Germany’s captain Joshua Kimmich is being used in the wrong role, arguing he should be moved out of the backline and into central midfield where he has the biggest impact.
The argument starts with a simple demand, and it comes from one of German football’s most recognized voices.
Lothar Matthäus has told Julian Nagelsmann to stop deploying Joshua Kimmich in the backline and put him back in the midfield. “Do him a favour and get him out of the backline,” Matthäus said, speaking about Germany’s captain. “I don’t see the Joshua on the pitch that I’ve known for years. At Bayern Munich, he is absolute world-class.”.
Matthäus’s criticism isn’t limited to production on the ball. He points to how Kimmich looks and behaves when the team is under pressure. arguing that the role is changing what Germany sees from him. “In terms of his body language and positioning. I don’t see him as someone who leads the team or exerts influence when things aren’t going well. ” Matthäus said. “From the right-back spot, he just can’t seem to manage it.”.
To Matthäus, the difference between right-back and midfield isn’t subtle. Kimmich’s strengths, he says, are most visible at the centre: setting the tempo, pressing aggressively, and constantly looking forward. “In central midfield. Kimmich dictates the tempo. presses aggressively. and constantly looks to move the ball forward. ” the case is built. His passing range and leadership, Matthäus argues, become more noticeable there than when he’s stationed out wide.
That’s why the Bayern Munich blueprint keeps being mentioned in the debate. Matthäus argues Germany is losing something when it uses the captain as a right-back. “At Bayern Munich. he is absolute world-class. ” he repeated in his assessment. with the implication that the version of Kimmich many expect from midfield has not shown up in the backline.
Nagelsmann, of course, has trusted Kimmich at right-back because Germany’s defensive needs have been part of the equation. Matthäus frames it as a trade-off. “Nagelsmann has trusted Kimmich at right-back because of Germany’s defensive needs. ” the argument continues. “but the trade-off has been sacrificing some creativity and control in midfield.”.
For Matthäus, the timing matters. With tougher knockout-stage opponents looming, the balance between defence and midfield command may need to be reconsidered. “With tougher knockout-stage opponents looming, it may be time to reconsider that balance,” the message lands.
And if Germany wants Matthäus’s answer to become reality, it starts with moving Kimmich back to central midfield. “If Germany wants to get the very best version of its captain. ” he says. “the solution is obvious: move Kimmich back into central midfield and let him control the game the way he does week after week for Bayern Munich.”.
The question now is whether Germany should follow Matthäus’s logic or stick with a right-back role that has been dependable. Kimmich has been steady from the back, but Matthäus believes the captain’s influence looks different—less commanding—when the game turns ugly.
So the debate that’s already been circulating with supporters after the World Cup now has its most direct form: Should Nagelsmann move Joshua Kimmich back into midfield, or keep him at right-back and accept what comes with that choice?
Lothar Matthäus Julian Nagelsmann Joshua Kimmich Germany midfield right-back Bayern Munich World Cup captain
Kimmich in midfield sounds way better than him playing back. Nagelsmann better listen.
Not gonna lie I didn’t even realize he was playing right-back that much. If Matthäus says he’s world-class then yeah, put him where he can control stuff.
Matthäus always talks like he’s coaching the team himself lol. But I also feel like when teams press, the whole backline looks stressed, so maybe it’s not JUST the position? idk. Also “body language” is such a weird stat.
Germany changes roles so much like every game is a different experiment. They should’ve kept him at right-back because that’s what he’s good at, right? Then again I saw him once and he looked confused so maybe the article is right. Nagelsmann probably has him out there because of injuries or some tactical thing. Either way I’m just tired of defenders trying to “dictate tempo” like it’s FIFA.