FCBinside.com
·24 April 2024
FCBinside.com
·24 April 2024
Joshua Kimmich has often been criticised at FC Bayern this season. The international himself has already complained about a lack of support. Now former Bayern captain Philipp Lahm has criticised the way the club and coach Thomas Tuchel have treated Kimmich.
Former Bayern star Philipp Lahm has defended Joshua Kimmich against criticism and criticised the handling of the international player.
Lahm told BILD: „I don’t think it’s Joshua Kimmich’s fault that things haven’t gone well for FC Bayern this season. He has a very good attitude and is a good player.“
Photo: IMAGO
Lahm clearly criticised the sporting management of the German record champions and coach Thomas Tuchel in particular for their handling of Kimmich: „A club must not allow any doubts to arise about its important players. I felt that at the time, there was never any doubt about me. That got me through phases when things weren’t going so well. That makes it easier to take on a leadership role,“ said the tournament director for Euro 2024 in Germany.
It is important to define the specific role of a player from the club side, explained Lahm: „Xabi Alonso does that excellently at Leverkusen, for example.“
Kimmich actually sees himself as a player for the centre of midfield and has also played in this position at FC Bayern in recent years. In recent weeks, however, he has returned to the right-back position, where he also played at the start of his career. He is also scheduled to play in the DFB team at the European Championships.
Lahm was also deployed as a right-back and central midfielder during his active career. When asked what would be the most suitable position for Kimmich, the 40-year-old replied: „A player always has to fit into the role defined by the coach. That’s part of competitive sport.“
The 2014 world champion explained: „For me, Joshua Kimmich is a trained midfielder and is a tad better there. But he’s proven that he can play right-back. But a coach sees what his team needs and where. That’s why it can make sense to play him at right-back.“