The decision to continue using Joshua Kimmich at right-back after Aleksandar Pavlovic’s suspension was a clear signal from head coach Thomas Tuchel. It would appear that Kimmich is currently a permanent fixture on the right side of defence.
The need to position Kimmich in defence originally arose from acute personnel shortages. After Kimmich’s good performances as part of the back four in recent matches, Tuchel seems inclined to leave him in this role. „I’m not sure whether it makes sense to change the back four again or whether we should leave the combination as it is,“ said Tuchel before the 8-1 thumping of Mainz. In the end, the recovered Konrad Laimer replaced the suspended Aleksandar Pavlovic. As expected, Kimmich started at right-back.
Kimmich himself was flexible about his role in the team: „I see myself wherever the coach puts me. In general, I feel comfortable on the pitch – whether on the right or in midfield. Maybe just not in goal. Apart from that, I really enjoy playing anywhere and try to give my best,“ he said.
Kimmich „played a great game“
Tuchel’s satisfaction with Kimmich’s performances at right-back in the games against Lazio and Mainz reinforces the possibility of a permanent repositioning: „We’ve been good twice now and he’s played at right-back twice. He also played at right-back in the first half in Freiburg, but we weren’t that good. But of course that’s why he’s playing there and he’s already played very well there. Today Josh was noticeably good and played a great game,“ said Tuchel, praising Kimmich’s adaptability and performance.
The situation surrounding regular right-backs Sacha Boey and Noussair Mazraoui, who are still struggling with injuries, also contributes to the possibility that Kimmich will remain in defence for longer. According to Tuchel, Boey is back in training but not yet fully fit. Mazraoui, on the other hand, is not yet making the hoped-for progress in his recovery.
