Signed from RB Leipzig in 2015, Joshua Kimmich has gone on to become a regular for Bayern Munich at the age of 22. The versatile German, who can play in multiple midfield positions, is now being pursued by Manchester City.
Kimmich was signed by Bayern for a fee of €7m as a promising 20-year old. He started his career as a centre midfielder with very good defensive qualities. After moving to Bayern, under Pep, he transformed his game and went on to become a right back.
Kimmich’s footballing style is very mature. Steady on the ball, with a keen eye for a pass and tremendous crossing abilities, means that he is very competent in terms of attacking. His defensive game lacks in pace at times but his mature sense of positioning covers up for whatever he lacks in his game. He also has a good tackle and ball-winning ability, something very important for full backs to have.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City spent heavily in the summer and brought in various players including swapping out the ageing full backs with new ones. The summer saw the exit of Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Aleksander Kolarov. Upgrades were bought in the form of Kyle Walker from title rivals Tottenham, Danilo from Real Madrid and Benjamin Mendy from AS Monaco.
Pep’s team has played some flawless, attacking football this season and sit pretty on top of the table. They are 5 points clear of the chasing pack and are yet to lose a match this season.
After hitting an early snag when they drew 1-1 with Everton, City have gone on to win all their remaining matches in style. They have demolished teams on their way and it has been very difficult for everyone in the squad to get a sniff into the starting eleven. The likes of Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan are still very much substitute players, not because of their form, but because the players on the pitch are performing on an unbelievable level.
It is difficult to see where exactly Pep would fit Kimmich in, who will want a regular starting place. The right-back position is already full with Walker and Danilo as the two choices and adding a third choice of Kimmich’s quality would just mean buying an expensive car and keeping it in the garage.
Kimmich, at the age of 22, will want regular football, something he is getting at Bayern Munich and it is unlikely he will leave the Bavarians soon. But should City look to land him?
