Contract poker at FC Bayern - According to Eberl's announcement: What will happen to Kimmich?
The statement from Bayern-Sportboard Max Eberl to Joshua Kimmich was clear: A starting spot exists for him at the German football record champion only with corresponding performance. Kimmich was not caught cold, as the strong man at FC Bayern Munchen said in an interview with "Welt am Sonntag": "We have agreed that we will talk to each other after his vacation." The Eberl statements towards Kimmich leave much room for speculation.
In a ZDF documentary, in which Kimmich looked back on the Corona time, he complained that there was hardly any public backing from the club for him. Kimmich had initially refused to get vaccinated. He felt "left alone" by the club, said Kimmich. "That was the first dip, where I noticed how the club reacted and was accordingly disappointed and also shocked." He emphasized that the two-year-old statements referred to the former bosses around Oliver Kahn.
Kimmich's position on the football pitch
As a right-back, Kimmich impressed at the European Championship - he fitted seamlessly into the setup of national coach Julian Nagelsmann. The 29-year-old sees himself, however, rather in the midfield on the six. The Munich team have signed the Portuguese Joao Palhinha for this position.
Apart from Palhinha, Aleksandar Pavlovic (20), Leon Goretzka (29), and Konrad Laimer (27) see themselves as contenders for the first team. What does Coach Vincent Kompany (38) do? Does he build on Kimmich? Where and how does he use him? "Joshua is a very good player, but it's just generally that professional football is a performance sport - we can't tell any player that they're the one who's set ... I only say what applies to everyone. We have exciting players and thus many alternatives," said Eberl. After years as a performance player, Kimmich could lose his starting spot at FC Bayern.
Eberl said that new trainer Kompany would first take a look around. "That Joshua has great merits for the FC Bayern is beyond doubt. However, every player at FC Bayern must take on the fight for the starting spot," said the Sportboard.
What does the future summit after Kimmich's vacation bring?
Since the Bayern do not want to let top players' contracts expire and could then lose them for free, it is possible that they could give away Kimmich again in this summer, if he does not extend his contract. Real Madrid, the FC Barcelona with ex-trainer Hansi Flick, the FC Liverpool, and the two London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea are considered possible targets. Bayern had already had to let a performance player go to Real Madrid without a transfer fee - that should not happen to Kimmich. It could therefore be that Eberl's statements were calculated.
Max Eberl, the Sportboard of FC Bayern, expressed his expectations for Joshua Kimmich, emphasizing the need for appropriate performance to secure a starting spot. Kimmich, known as the strong man at FC Bayern Munchen, acknowledged the conversation they agreed to have after his vacation. Eberl's statements towards Kimmich have left room for speculation, particularly considering Kimmich's feelings of being "left alone" during the Coronavirus period.
In a documentary, Kimmich expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of public backing from the club during that time, as he initially refused to get vaccinated. At the European Championship, Kimmich impressed as a right-back, fitting seamlessly into the setup under national coach Julian Nagelsmann, but he sees himself as a midfielder on the six.
Despite Kimmich's talent, FC Bayern has signed Portuguese Joao Palhinha to compete for the six position. Apart from Palhinha, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Leon Goretzka, and Konrad Laimer are also vying for a spot in the first team. New coach Vincent Kompany, however, has stated that every player at FC Bayern must fight for their starting spot, and Joshua Kimmich is no exception.
With the club unwilling to let top players' contracts expire, it's possible that Kimmich could leave FC Bayern during the summer if he does not extend his contract. Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, FC Liverpool, and the two London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea are potential destinations for Kimmich, especially as Bayern had to let a performance player go to Real Madrid without a transfer fee in the past. Therefore, Eberl's statements could be strategically calculated.
The future summit after Kimmich's vacation will be crucial in determining his future at FC Bayern Munich.
