'We need to be braver': Kimmich calls for a rethink on young talents | OneFootball

German football is undergoing a transformation – and Joshua Kimmich has clear ideas about how this can succeed. The national team captain is calling on Bundesliga clubs to show more courage when it comes to young German players.

“We always look at the Premier League and see which levers are being pulled there. But why don’t we use this as an opportunity in Germany and allow well-trained 17-, 18-, or 19-year-old German players to prove themselves in the Bundesliga with starting eleven appearances?” explained the Bayern star in an interview with Welt am Sonntag.

For Kimmich, the key to the future of German football lies in the consistent promotion of young players: “I would like those responsible to be braver in this regard. And I am convinced that it would pay off.”

Praise for BVB stars and German talents

Since taking on the captain’s armband for the German national team, Kimmich says he has gained a new perspective on the Bundesliga. While he used to see the competition mainly as opponents, today he looks at the bigger picture through the eyes of a national team player:

“In the past, I didn’t care what the competition was doing. Now I see many things from a completely different perspective.”

The Bayern professional also doesn’t hold back on praise for players from other clubs – including several Dortmund players: “Despite all the competition, I’m really happy that Schlotti is fit again, that Karim is currently playing consistently well, and that Maxi is getting and taking his chances up front. That’s good for German football.”

With this statement, Kimmich is referring to BVB players Nico Schlotterbeck, Karim Adeyemi, and Maximilian Beier, who have impressed with strong performances in recent weeks.

Kimmich Academy aims to create opportunities

Photo: Kimmich Academy

In addition to his duties at Bayern and with the national team, Kimmich is also personally committed to promoting young players. With his newly founded Kimmich Academy, the 30-year-old wants to give children from his home region access to professional training – without having to leave their familiar environment.

“I see a lot of potential there,” Kimmich emphasizes. The goal is to provide young players with an environment “in which they can train at youth academy level.”

While German football continues to debate youth structures and competitiveness, Joshua Kimmich is leading by example – both on and off the pitch.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.