By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- For years, one of the biggest talents in German football was shifted around from position to position. The 23-year-old seemed to fit in everywhere: central defender, right-back or in midfield down the flanks. Famous coaches like Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, and Joachim Low were uncertain about the best position for Joshua Kimmich.
Now the Bayern Munich player seems to have reached his final destination as a "six" in central midfield in front of the defense. After having been Low's first choice when replacing Philipp Lahm at right-back, the German national coach seems to have found the solution for his midfield problems.
Filling the void left by Lahm's retirement was Kimmich's first brilliant masterpiece. Now he is adding a second.
Central midfield was one of Germany's problem areas at the 2018 World Cup. The team couldn't close spaces and were vulnerable to counter attacks. Back then, Kimmich's job was to operate along the flanks and drive the German game forward.
Midfield general Toni Kroos lacked the support that he was used to at Real Madrid. When playing for the 2018 Champions League winners, he was backed up by Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, a job that neither Sebastian Rudy (FC Schalke 04) nor Sami Khedira (Juventus) could do satisfactorily.
In advance of Germany's friendly against Peru this Sunday, all discussions now seem to have come to an end, after Kimmich delivered a convincing performance against World Cup winners France in the newly-formed UEFA Nations League. "He has got all you need for that position," defender Mats Hummels commented.
The positional change is something of a homecoming for Kimmich. In his early years as a young footballer, he learned to love the challenging job as a "six." Now the 23-year-old tells of the moment Low told him about his plans to use him in midfield, when a broad smile appeared on his face.
The position requires a fighting spirit as well as accuracy. Against France, almost all of Kimmich's passes found their intended target (93.4 percent) and he had the best record in man-on-man situations. It was only the second time in 31 internationals that the Bayern Munich player turned out in his favorite position. This time around, it appears to be building for the future.
Not only does Kimmich have impressive defensive skills but is excellent when going forward, giving Low another outlet for supporting Germany's attacks.
Several pundits feel Kimmich is ready for a world-class career as a "six." He himself makes no secret of his desire. "If it was up to me, we would repeat it," he emphasized. "This is the spot I feel very comfortable with as I have been used to it since my early years."
Kimmich was one of the reasons why the quick and technically brilliant French attackers couldn't get into the German penalty area as they have been used to.
Low called Kimmich the perfect solution for the future. The German coach said that he was not only a reliable performer but gave the entire team the necessary balance and stability after only three training sessions in his "new" job.
No doubt, the repositioned youngster has turned into one of Germany's cornerstones. Many predict Kimmich has the abilities to one day become German captain and one of the team's leaders.
The new No. 6 showed that he has grown up as a footballer and turned into a leader able to guide the team back to success. Low says that Kimmich has a strong presence on the pitch, demands the ball to so that he can move it on and does his job with impressive calmness and class.
