Could Kimmich be the sole contender to assume the captaincy role in the German football squad?
There's a prominent choice for the new DFB team leader role: Joshua Kimmich. Many experts believe the Bayern star is the likely replacement for Ilkay Gundogan. On Monday, team manager Julian Nagelsmann will clarify who he delegates the position to.
Rudi Völler smirked, only Rudi Völler could. He mentioned on Sky with a scrunched nose that Nagelsmann was giving a press conference on Monday - and in it, he would tackle the captaincy issue in the German football team. "Perhaps," said the DFB sports director, winking at Lothar Matthäus across the table, "he will bring up your name then."
Matthäus had just voiced what many football fans concur: Kimmich - who else? "I would be surprised if it's not Kimmich," emphasized the record national player, who himself was the World Cup captain in 1990, listing the advantages of the A-solution: "He has the most international appearances, he has ambition, he has experience." Even the occasional display of intense behavior shouldn't hinder him, noted Matthäus. He could imagine Jonathan Tah as a backup. Tah later assured that he knew nothing yet, but was "ready, clear."
Whether Nagelsmann agrees or not, the football-enthusiastic section of the country will find out on Monday afternoon. Traditionally, a national team coach would speak on the day before the international match, i.e., on Friday before the Nations League start against the Netherlands in Düsseldorf on September 7. However, the German Football Association moved Nagelsmann's appearance forward by agreement for a "government declaration" in Herzogenaurach.
"The perfect heir"
The national team coach can immediately unveil how he envisions the resurrection of a team that seems to have lost its reinforcing pillars with an excavator. Toni Kroos, captain Ilkay Gundogan, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller: They all retired after the home European Championship. Consequently, a new starting goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, a new axis is required, a new hierarchy needs to be established - and a new playmaker needs to be selected.
For this, Joshua Kimmich, 29 years old, would be almost perfectly suited. Tournament-experienced, always exemplary in practice, reliable and unwavering in communication. "If you know him, if you know his ambition, if you know his sporting quality, but also his desire to take on leadership roles," says 2014 World Cup winner Sami Khedira: "Then I believe that he would be the perfect heir to Gundogan, if he is protected and if he is supported." After all, Kimmich has always been both contentious and controversial.
At Bayern Munich, he was once considered a transfer target, but instead, his "demotion" was reversed, and he returned to his favorite position in front of the defense. This would also be possible in the national team, where the midfield needs to be reorganized on the tactics board after the departure of Kroos and Gundogan. In the press release announcing the squad, however, Kimmich was listed under "defense."
There was also a hint that Kimmich could become the captain. Antonio Rüdiger, the other option, will be absent from the September training camp, receiving a recovery break after an exhausting summer. Nagelsmann is unlikely to entrust the armband to a player who is not even present. Therefore, it seems: Joshua Kimmich? Yes, who else?
The national football team could potentially see Joshua Kimmich take on a significant role, given his ambition and international experience, as suggested by Lothar Matthäus. If Nagelsmann chooses Kimmich as the team's captain, it would make him the perfect heir to Ilkay Gundogan's position, according to Sami Khedira.
