Matthäus and Lahm Want Joshua Kimmich Back in Midfield

Overview

• Former Germany greats Lothar Matthäus and Philipp Lahm have publicly urged manager Julian Nagelsmann to move Joshua Kimmich from right-back into central midfield to restore creativity and leadership.
• The decision to use Kimmich at right-back was made for defensive reasons but has coincided with a drop in midfield control and tempo that pundits say costs Germany influence over games.
• Lahm went further in his critique and recommended dropping Aleksandar Pavlović from the starting XI while using Waldemar Anton at right-back with Kimmich partnered by Felix Nmecha in midfield.
• There is no clear natural right-back in the squad, so any switch would likely force Nagelsmann to rely on makeshift options such as Waldemar Anton, Malick Thiaw, or Nathaniel Brown, each of whom would change Germany’s defensive balance.
• With Germany through the group stage and entering knockout ties, the coaching staff faces an urgent, high-impact choice that could improve midfield control but also expose the back line and alter player roles.