Joshua Kimmich is the captain of the German national team and one of the key players under Jürgen Klopp. Nevertheless, his role is being debated following the 2-0 win over Serbia. The reason for this is, of all things, the strong chemistry between his two Bayern teammates, Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlovic.
Both impressed in central midfield, and Bischof also scored the opening goal. Florian Wirtz also thrived playing in front of them. Kimmich, who was not part of the second DFB squad, watched the match from the stands.
Just how sensitive the issue has become was evident after the final whistle. At the press conference, Klopp was asked why Wirtz had gelled so well with Bischof and Pavlovic. Kimmich’s name wasn’t even mentioned in the question. Nevertheless, the national team coach immediately drew a connection.
Klopp: “In the end, it’ll turn into a Kimmich story.”
“It’s such a lovely evening, and you want to bring up a topic that isn’t even an issue,” Klopp responded, clearly annoyed. A short while later, the 59-year-old added: “In the end, it’ll turn into a Kimmich story—you’ll manage that just fine!”
Klopp thus made it clear that he doesn’t think much of a fundamental comparison between the midfield against Serbia and a team featuring Kimmich. At the same time, his reaction shows that the national team coach is paying very close attention to the emerging discussion.
The background to this is also explosive. Kimmich would have liked to stay with the team after the first two international matches. Klopp had already confirmed that his captain had asked several times. The national team coach nevertheless stuck to his plan to almost completely overhaul the roster for the second half of the international break.
As a result, Kimmich had to watch as Bischof and Pavlovic proved themselves in central defense for future assignments. It was also striking afterward that Klopp did not want to single out Bischof’s strong performance, but instead quickly included other players in his praise.
Is things about to get uncomfortable for Kimmich?
SPORT1 chief reporter Stefan Kumberger sees this as a discussion that could well become uncomfortable for Kimmich. “The issue is there. Discussions like this are dangerous for key players like Kimmich—especially when you’re injured, benched, or going through a slump,” he explained on the podcast *Die Bayern-Woche*.
After just one convincing performance by Bischof and Pavlovic, it would be premature to fundamentally question Kimmich’s status. The 31-year-old remains captain and plays an important role in Klopp’s plans. At the same time, competition in the midfield has intensified.
“I think it’s premature, but the discussion is coming,” Kumberger emphasized.
That is precisely the new situation for Kimmich. At just 21 years old, Bischof is pushing for more playing time, and Pavlovic has also made his case. Klopp thus has alternatives that worked right away against Serbia.
Kumberger therefore even describes the discussion as one of the most delicate issues for the national team coach: “The national team coach knows full well: This is perhaps the most dangerous discussion in German soccer. Klopp realizes that he needs to take countermeasures early on.”
That’s exactly what Klopp did after the match against Serbia. He leaves no room for public doubt about his captain. Whether this will permanently put an end to the debate, however, will likely depend above all on how Kimmich, Bischof, and Pavlovic perform on the field in the coming months.