Joshua Kimmich makes FC Bayern fidget – it’s about appreciation

Does he stay or does he go? Joshua Kimmich actually embodies FC Bayern like no other player. But it is still unclear whether the 29-year-old will also play in Munich in the long term. His contract expires in the summer, then Kimmich (market value: 50 million euros) could leave for a free transfer.

The poker for an extension is officially open. FC Bayern would rather sign a new contract with their midfield strategist today rather than tomorrow. “There is no extension yet. Joshua knows that we want it. We are ready, if he says yes, to finally get it over the table,” says sports director Max Eberl. But Kimmich leaves the club, where he has been playing since 2015, floundering despite their intensive efforts.

The DFB captain is still keeping a low profile about his future. He’s talking to his family and the club – “and then we’ll see what comes of it,” said Kimmich three weeks ago. According to media reports, there is interest from major competitors from abroad; Paris St.-Germain and FC Barcelona are being traded. In Barcelona, ​​Kimmich would again play under Hansi Flick, with whom he won seven titles in just one and a half years at FC Bayern.

The fact that Kimmich has not yet found a clear yes to a future at FC Bayern may also be due to past experiences that have an impact on the midfielder. He didn’t always feel supported and valued by the record champions. For example, there was the vaccination discussion during the pandemic: Kimmich initially did not want to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and had to endure a lot of public criticism for it, sometimes below the belt.

During this time he missed the clear support of his club, Kimmich said two and a half years later in a ZDF documentary: “I felt left alone for too long.” He was “disappointed and also hurt” by FC Bayern’s reaction and his sense of trust in the club was “broken”.

The discussions from last season, when Kimmich and coach Thomas Tuchel became increasingly estranged, are also present. From the start, Tuchel expressed his desire for a “holding six”, i.e. a more defensive player in the six position. This was accompanied by the message that he was not satisfied with Kimmich and his interpretation of this position.

Kimmich increasingly found himself on the unpopular right side of the defense, and the relationship between coach and star was soon considered strained, to say the least. And sports director Max Eberl also tried from time to time to tickle the 29-year-old with public comments. There was even talk of selling Kimmich at times.

Tuchel is long gone in Munich, Joshua Kimmich is once again the undisputed boss at Vincent Kompany. But the national team captain may not have completely forgotten or forgiven the discrepancies of the past few years. When extending a contract, the key word appreciation certainly plays a role that should not be underestimated.

The Bayern bosses might roll their eyes at this term, as it has already caused them a lot of trouble. The most prominent example: David Alaba, who did not feel he was sufficiently valued financially and therefore moved to Real Madrid after a long public tug-of-war. With Kimmich – one of the top earners in the team with around 20 million euros – the human component could be the deciding factor.

Max Eberl, who has only been with the club since March of this year, knows the problem. “Joshua had a time when everyone didn’t feel completely comfortable, when everyone didn’t behave the way they needed to,” he says. “Joshua has shown again, especially in midfield, what quality he has. He’s getting back to the level where he was before, where he was one of the best midfielders in the world.”

The sports director lures with legendary status. “Josh can now decide: Would he like to go on another big adventure? Or would he like to become another legend at Bayern Munich?” said Eberl. After the retirement of Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller, Kimmich is set to become the new captain and the face of FC Bayern. The coming weeks will show whether Joshua Kimmich can be convinced.