Lahm’s advice to Nagelsmann: Kimmich must play in this position | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner and numerous Bayern professionals have been nominated for the DFB squad, including Joshua Kimmich. Philipp Lahm, the former DFB captain, has now given Julian Nagelsmann some advice on the best position for the Bayern star

Under the national coach, Kimmich often changed his area of responsibility, sometimes playing in the center of midfield, sometimes at right-back, as he is doing now. At the World Cup, he is clearly planned as a right-back

Philipp Lahm doesn’t think that’s ideal and would like to see the thinker and leader of the DFB’s play in a different position

Lahm sees Kimmich in the center

In an interview with SportBILD, the 2014 world champion nominated his ideal World Cup squad for the German selection, with few surprises: offensively, he opts for Kai Havertz, Jamie Leweling, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz

But: In the center of midfield, he is relying on the Bayern duo Pavlovic/Kimmich. „Joshua Kimmich has played in midfield all season. Together with Aleksandar Pavlović, he has played many games, and Bayern only narrowly failed to reach the Champions League semi-finals. Kimmich has been operating at the highest level in midfield for years,“ explained Lahm

photo: IMAGO

He added: „I wouldn’t break up the spine of the team with Neuer, Tah and Kimmich by moving him to right-back. That’s why I would let him play in midfield.“

Lahm also explained his choice with a reference back to the 2014 World Cup: „Back then, we sometimes played with two centre-backs in the full-back positions. That’s also an option. In my opinion, Waldemar Anton could play on the right. On the left, we have David Raum, who is very offensive. With Anton, who is more defensive, you would have the balance between attacking drive on one side and defensive stability on the other.“