Joshua Kimmich certainly imagined the start of the Jürgen Klopp era would be different. Following the 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, the German national team suffered a 0-1 loss to Greece. Even the DFB team’s captain failed to fully impress in that match.
Kimmich subsequently had to leave the DFB squad because Klopp wants to test other players for the upcoming matches. The 31-year-old would have liked to stay on. “I had hoped to stay until the very end, and of course I would have liked to stay. But I understand that the coach simply wants to get to know other guys,” he explained after the game against Greece.
The two appearances have sparked a discussion about Kimmich’s future role. The main question is how Klopp intends to use his captain in the long term.
Is the criticism unwarranted?
Kimmich wasn’t one of the most prominent German players against Greece, but he made an effort to take on responsibility. The Bayern Munich pro tried to drive the play from the center and regularly joined the attack.
His individual stats were quite solid. Kimmich played three key passes and recorded an Expected Assists value of 0.43. He also completed 35 passes in the final third. He even had a good chance of his own with a dangerous free kick.
At the same time, not everything went according to plan. Several chip passes and through balls failed to find a recipient. Like the rest of the team, Kimmich was unable to provide the necessary structure to Germany’s play throughout the entire match.
It’s important to note that Klopp is currently trying out numerous players and that Kimmich is, at times, playing alongside new teammates.
DFB team statistically more successful with Kimmich
Sky recently provided some interesting statistics on the Bayern star’s importance. According to these figures, the German national team scores an average of 2.3 goals per game with Kimmich. Without the 31-year-old, the average is 2.0 goals.
There’s also a difference in the win percentage. With Kimmich, Germany wins 55.8 percent of its games; without him, the rate is 52.4 percent. The statistics also show higher numbers for shots, crosses, and passes into the attacking third when the Bayern player is on the field.
These figures thus underscore Kimmich’s importance, but they do not automatically answer the question of his future role under Klopp. That will depend crucially on which system the national team coach intends to establish in the long term and how the alternatives perform.
In November, Kimmich is expected to return to the DFB squad, provided he remains fit. By then at the latest, it will become clear what role Klopp has in mind for his captain in his future plans.