Jürgen Klopp tests Kimmich's return to midfield – new questions
Joshua Kimmich's shift to midfield under Jürgen Klopp is causing discussion. Under Klopp, Kimmich returned to the central position of the German national team. Klopp emphasizes that before his start as national team coach he wants to experiment a lot and get a clear idea from all players, while the ideal midfield remains unclear.
Kimmich's new role in midfield
Kimmich is to return from right‑back to the central midfield and retains the captain's badge. The 31‑year‑old is described by the national team coach as the heart of the national team both football‑wise and personally. Clear statements about other positions are missing, only Kimmich's switch is unequivocal.
Tactical formation and first deployments
In the first two games under Klopp Germany did not line up in the usual 4‑2‑3‑1, but in a slightly asymmetrical 4‑3‑3. Kimmich occupied the central number‑six role, Felix Nmecha operated slightly offset on the half‑right, while Jamal Musiala was replaced in warm‑up by Nadiem Amiri due to an injury. Against the Netherlands Kimmich recorded an impressive 152 ball actions.
In the match against Greece debutant Bambase Conte started on the half‑left position. The midfield worked well in phases: Kimmich as a deep strategist, Nmecha as a box‑to‑box player and Amiri or Conte as the third element. Kimmich constantly pressed for the ball in deep areas and showed, despite occasional lapses of concentration, clever passes.
Klopp under pressure after Germany's defeat to Greece
Defensive weaknesses and Klopp comment
The coordination between Kimmich and Nmecha proved weak in both matches, creating large spaces for the opponents. Against the Netherlands the cover was lacking over long stretches, leading to numerous chances. Klopp criticised Nmecha: “Will someone eventually say to him: Great player, but I have someone who is as good as you on the ball and twice as good against the ball.”
At Bayern Munich Kimmich forms a functional double‑six in a 4‑2‑3‑1 together with Aleksandar Pavlovic, while Pavlovic acts strategically smarter in passing. Nmecha plays in central midfield for BVB, there backed up by new signing Joey Veerman and in the 3‑4‑3 system of coach Niko Kovac with three centre‑backs.
A logical option for Klopp would be to adopt the well‑drilled Kimmich/Pavlovic duo from Munich, but that would require deviating from the planned 4‑3‑3. At the same time it would be risky to lose Nmecha's offensive drive, as he is one of the few reliably goal‑threatening players in the German national team.
Klopp defends his Germany after the defeat against Greece
The contrast between Klopp's willingness to experiment and the persistent deficits in midfield shows that no coherent solution has been found yet. The next decisions will reveal whether the team around Kimmich, Nmecha and Pavlovic can find a new, more stable system.