Joshua Kimmich, a versatile and dynamic player, has risen to become one of the most integral members of the Bayern Munich squad. With his exceptional work ethic, tactical intelligence, and technical abilities, Kimmich has cemented his place as a vital player for both club and country. In this blog post, we will take an in-depth look at Kimmich’s journey to prominence, analyze his strengths and weaknesses as a player, and discuss how he has become the engine room of Bayern Munich.
Kimmich’s Rise to Prominence: From Stuttgart to the Allianz Arena
Kimmich’s Rise to Prominence: From Stuttgart to the Allianz Arena
Born on February 8, 1995, in Rottweil, Germany, Kimmich began his football career with VfB Stuttgart’s youth academy. He quickly impressed with his technical skills and was promoted to the senior team in 2013 at the age of 18. Kimmich made his senior debut for Stuttgart in August 2013 and went on to make 29 appearances for the club in his first season.
However, it was in the 2014-15 season that Kimmich truly caught the eye of top clubs in Europe. He made 36 appearances for Stuttgart, scoring three goals and providing four assists, and was named the “Best Newcomer” in the Bundesliga by German sports magazine Kicker. His performances did not go unnoticed, and in July 2015, he signed for Bayern Munich.
At Bayern, Kimmich continued to impress, and under the guidance of experienced players like Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso, he honed his skills as a defensive midfielder. He also showed his versatility by playing in various positions, including right-back, central midfield, and even as a center-back when needed. In the 2017-18 season, Kimmich established himself as a regular starter for Bayern, making 47 appearances in all competitions and helping the team win the Bundesliga title.
Kimmich’s Strengths and Weaknesses: A Comprehensive Analysis
Kimmich’s Strengths and Weaknesses: A Comprehensive Analysis
Strengths:
- Tactical intelligence: One of Kimmich’s greatest strengths is his tactical intelligence. He has a great understanding of the game and can read the opposition’s movements and adjust accordingly. This makes him an essential player for both Bayern Munich and the German national team.
- Versatility: Kimmich’s ability to play in multiple positions is one of the reasons why he is so highly valued by his coaches. His natural position is in central midfield, but he has also excelled as a right-back and even as a center-back. This versatility allows his team to be flexible tactically, and he can seamlessly slot into different positions without compromising the team’s balance.
- Work ethic: Kimmich’s work ethic is second to none. He is known for his relentless pressing and high-intensity runs throughout the game. He covers a large amount of ground and is always willing to put in the hard yards for the benefit of the team. His work rate sets an example for his teammates and inspires them to give their best on the pitch.
- Passing ability: As a midfielder, Kimmich’s passing ability is crucial. He has excellent vision and is extremely accurate in his passes, whether it is a short pass to retain possession or a long ball to switch play. He also has the ability to play intricate one-touch passes, which helps Bayern Munich in breaking down organized defenses.
- Defensive prowess: Kimmich’s defensive abilities have improved significantly since his move to Bayern Munich. He is a tenacious tackler and is not afraid to make a challenge. He also reads the game well and positions himself intelligently to intercept passes and break up the opposition’s attacks.
Weaknesses:
- Aerial duels: One area where Kimmich can improve is his aerial duels. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, he is not the tallest player on the pitch and can sometimes struggle against taller opponents. However, he makes up for it with his positioning and timing, which allows him to win a fair share of aerial battles despite his height disadvantage.
- Lack of goal scoring: Despite being an all-round midfielder, one aspect of Kimmich’s game that could be better is his goal-scoring ability. He has scored just 19 goals in 184 appearances for Bayern Munich, which is a decent return for a midfielder, but he has the potential to score more if he takes more shots from outside the box.
- Discipline: Kimmich has received criticism for his disciplinary record, especially early in his career when he was prone to making rash challenges. While he has improved in recent years, he needs to maintain his composure on the pitch and avoid unnecessary bookings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Joshua Kimmich is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the world, and his contributions to Bayern Munich’s success cannot be understated. His versatility, tactical intelligence, work ethic, and passing ability make him a complete midfielder, and at just 26 years old, he still has room to grow and improve.
Kimmich has become the engine room of Bayern Munich, providing the team with the necessary balance and stability both defensively and offensively. As he continues to develop and mature as a player, there is no doubt that he will continue to be a key player for Bayern Munich and the German national team for many years to come.