With Philipp Lahm set for an early retirement, Bayern Munich need look no further than to Joshua Kimmich as their next right back.
A Legacy Comes to an End
In an announcement that shook many fans of FC Bayern Munich, Philipp Lahm recently confirmed that he is set to retire at the end of the 16-17 campaign. This move, which might come as a surprise to some, not only leaves the club in need of a leader to step up as captain, but also in need of a good right back.
The shoes left behind by Lahm are plenty big to fill, but Bayern Munich need search no further than their own ranks to find the man to fill them.
Joshua Kimmich: The Rightful Heir to the Bayern Throne
Any fan who followed Bayern Munich throughout the 15-16 season will undoubtedly remember the passionate impromptu coaching lesson Pep Guardiola gave then 21-year old Joshua Kimmich following a goalless draw against Dortmund.
It was this particular performance that not only proved that Kimmich was the real deal, but also clearly established him as an important cog in the Bayern machine.
A few months later Kimmich went on to get his first Germany cap and even featured in the 23-man squad at Euro 2016. However, getting a start in his first call-up and making the national squad was not good enough for Germany’s rising star. Young Joshua quickly became his country’s first choice right back (a position he had hardly any experience in) and earned a spot in the Euro 2016 team of the tournament.
This introduces the first reason Kimmich should take over Lahm’s role. It is the very same reason given by club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in recent weeks. His spectacular performances as the German national team’s right back suggest that Joshua Kimmich has got what it takes to do the same for Bayern.
Secondly, much like the German national team, Bayern Munich is blessed with an abundance of quality midfield players. Xabi Alonso, Arturo Vidal, Thiago Alcantara, Renato Sanches, even Thomas Muller and Javi Martinez (especially with Niklas Sule set to join the side) are all fully capable midfielders.
Even if Alonso is to retire at the end of the season alongside Lahm, the signing of Sebastian Rudy means that there is already another player ready to join the crowded Bayern midfield regiment. While Rudy may be capable of playing at right back, he would even be behind Rafinha in terms of quality, and is miles better playing as a defensive midfielder like Alonso.
While the argument could be made that Kimmich’s importance to the team suggests he should be one of the first midfield names on the team sheet, the fact is that both Arturo Vidal and Thiago are higher up on the pecking order.
However, this does not take away from Kimmich’s importance. Already a mercurial talent who can only improve with each match, it is imperative that he is consistently starting.
Furthermore, his particular skillset is perhaps more fitting for a right back than it is a central midfielder–another area where he is very similar to Lahm. He is a highly intelligent player (one reason Pep Guardiola was so big a fan of his), but also aggressive and a strong tackler. His crossing is good enough that he already often takes corners for Bayern and has proved that he can overlap well and make late runs into the box–both traits also characteristic of Philipp Lahm.
Per ESPN, Carlo Ancelotti too sees the comparison:
"“Kimmich can become the new Lahm.”“He has enough quality to play in many different positions, not just in midfield. He also has a strong personality and a strong character. I love players with such great professionalism, like he has.”"
Despite his many strengths, the one relative weakness of Kimmich is yet another thing the youngster shares with the current Bayern captain. That is their aerial presence. Neither has a very demanding stature and pose no real aerial threat.
The similarities between Lahm and Kimmich are too great to overlook. By allaccounts, Joshua Kimmich seems poised to become the “New Philipp Lahm.”
But Why not Keep Kimmich in the Midfield and Buy Another Right Back?
As already discussed, Joshua Kimmich’s importance to Bayern Munich, specifically the future of the club, cannot be understated. It is imperative that he is from now going forward a regular in the starting XI. But why not keep him in the midfield and bring in a new right back?
For one, there is a dearth of quality right-sided defenders. And of the ones there are, even fewer are available for transfer. There may be a few younger players available, but Bayern would certainly opt to play Kimmich at right back rather than bring in another youngster unfamiliar with the squad and immediately throw him into the first team.
When the best performing right back at Europe’s greatest tournament is on your team though, it seems a bit ridiculous to go looking for a replacement anyway.
Once again like his predecessor, Kimmich has the potential to become a star at Bayern and possibly take over the captaincy in the future. Should this be the case, Bayern could continue their preferred method of leading from the back by keeping Kimmich as a defender.
That Kimmich has had so little training in the position yet has performed there so admirably testifies to the potential he has in the position. While there will never truly be another Philipp Lahm, it is not unrealistic to think that–with proper training in the position–Joshua Kimmich could become a world class right back.
Next: Bayern Munich Gear Up For Quarterfinal Tie Against Schalke
With Philipp Lahm suspended for the away clash at Arsenal in two weeks time, we may get a glimpse of what the club plans to do regarding this situation. No matter the decision, Kimmich has both the talent and the attitude to thrive as a world-class player for Germany’s “Star of the South.” While it will be sad to see a club legend go, perhaps Lahm’s retirement will be as much of a beginning of an era as it is an end of one.