Germany captain Joshua Kimmich has addressed mounting questions over his long-term role in the national team, insisting that he understands how the football industry operates after more than a decade at the highest level. Speaking following Bayern Munich’s 2-2 draw in Augsburg, the 31-year-old midfielder responded to recent public debates sparked by former internationals regarding his automatic status in the squad.
Public Debate Over Squad Status and Leadership
The discussion surrounding Kimmich’s international future intensified after former Germany player Oliver Kahn suggested that the midfielder no longer holds an automatic starting position in the DFB setup. Concurrently, Lothar Matthäus argued that Kimmich must prove himself anew in his capacity as a team leader. Addressing the commentary, Kimmich noted that while he did not actively follow the media coverage, he was aware that external discussions had taken place.
“I have been here for 11 years now, I know how the business works,” Kimmich said, as reported in the source material. “The only thing I can and must concentrate on is my performance. I’ve done that for the last 11 years, and I will continue to do so.” He maintains that his primary focus remains on maintaining the high standards required to rank among the best players in the squad.
Max Eberl Defends Bayern Midfielder Against Criticism
Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl strongly defended the player against the recent scrutiny, labeling the doubts cast on Kimmich’s abilities as absurd. Eberl described Kimmich as an exemplary leader who consistently drives the team forward. While acknowledging that Kimmich has experienced limited success in major tournaments with the national team, Eberl emphasized his overall standing as an exceptional German player whom the country should value.
The debate also touched upon squad management under national team coach Jürgen Klopp. During the recent international window, Kimmich started the fixtures against the Netherlands, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and Greece, a 0-1 defeat. In line with a pre-arranged rotation plan, he subsequently left the squad to make room for a second wave of players ahead of matches against Serbia and a return fixture against Greece.
Squad Rotation and Relationship With Jürgen Klopp
Kimmich admitted that he would have preferred to stay with the national team for the second block of fixtures, a desire he communicated to Klopp. The coach ultimately opted to deploy Kimmich’s club teammates Aleksandar Pavlovic and Tom Bischof, both of whom delivered strong performances in their respective outings. Kimmich noted that an extended stay seemed possible following an injury to Jamal Musiala, but he ultimately accepted the coach’s clear communication regarding squad planning.
When asked whether he had hoped for greater public backing from Klopp amid the external debates, Kimmich dismissed the notion entirely. “No, not at all. He also described how it was,” Kimmich stated, adding that the coaching staff’s transparent handling of the situation left no room for misunderstanding.
Performance Goals and Upcoming Fixtures
Despite the ongoing discussions about generational shifts and tactical alternatives in midfield, Kimmich remains confident in his trajectory. He stresses that competition is natural and that consistent output every three days is the definitive measure for remaining part of the elite group. As domestic league action resumes, Kimmich turns his attention back to club commitments with Bayern Munich ahead of the next international preparatory window.
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