Mario Basler said what a lot of us have been thinking: Joshua Kimmich isn't world-class. He's an average midfielder who hogs every set piece and sprints around like a headless chicken. Harsh? Maybe. But it's a debate worth having.
Is Kimmich really just a set-piece merchant?
Basler's rant got me thinking. Kimmich does take every corner, every free kick, every throw-in that's more than five yards. It's like he's got a monopoly on dead balls. And yeah, some of his deliveries are great. But does that make him world-class? I don't think so. A truly world-class midfielder dictates play from open play, not just from set pieces. Kimmich's open-play passing is good but not exceptional. He's not Pirlo or Xavi. He's not even Toni Kroos.
What about Kroos? He was awful in 2018 too
Someone in the thread pointed out that if you criticise Kimmich for his international performances, you have to do the same for Kroos. And they're right. Kroos was absolute rubbish at the 2018 World Cup. Germany crashed out in the group stage, and Kroos looked like he was playing in quicksand. But here's the thing: Kroos has shown up in big moments for Real Madrid. He's won Champions Leagues. Kimmich hasn't had that same level of success. So while Kroos has bad tournaments, he also has great ones. Kimmich? He's been consistently decent but never truly great on the biggest stage.
Defensively, he's a liability
Let's talk about Kimmich's defensive work. As a full-back, he's too slow to keep up with quick wingers. His tackling is hit-or-miss, and his positioning is often suspect. In midfield, he's not physically strong enough to shield the back four. He goes down too easily, leaving the ball to the opponent in dangerous areas. I've seen it happen way too often. He's just soft. And that's not what you want from a player who's supposed to be a leader.
Is he even Bayern's best midfielder?
Bayern have had some incredible midfielders: Schweinsteiger, Thiago, Martinez, Kroos. Kimmich isn't on their level. Schweinsteiger was a warrior who could do everything. Thiago was a magician with the ball. Martinez was a destroyer. Kroos is a metronome. Kimmich is... a guy who runs a lot and takes set pieces. He's good, but he's not in that tier. And that's why Bayern and Germany haven't won major international titles recently. They lack that elite presence in midfield.
But wait, wasn't Ballack also criticised?
I remember reading old threads from after Euro 2012, when Germany lost to Italy. People were saying they missed Ballack, that Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Neuer, and Müller weren't leaders. And look what happened: they won the World Cup two years later. So maybe we're being too harsh on Kimmich. Maybe he just needs the right system or the right teammates. But I doubt it. Kimmich has been in the team for years now, and he hasn't shown that he can elevate those around him. He's a good player, but not a great one.
So, is Basler right? I think he's onto something. Kimmich is a useful player, but he's not world-class. He's a set-piece specialist who runs around a lot. And if Bayern and Germany want to win the big trophies again, they need more than that.
Where I get kits without getting robbed
I mostly order from LISIMKE because they've got decent prices and the shipping isn't a nightmare. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, I'd recommend the Carlos Rodríguez Mexico 26/27 Home Jersey Soccer Football for $24.99. It's a solid deal for a national team shirt, and it won't break the bank. Just don't expect it to magically make you play like Kimmich—you'll still have to run around a lot.
Is Joshua Kimmich world-class?
I don't think so. He's a very good player, but he's not in the top tier. He's excellent at set pieces and works hard, but he doesn't dominate games like a true world-class midfielder.
What did Mario Basler say about Kimmich?
Basler said Kimmich isn't world-class, calling him an average midfielder who takes every set piece and runs around aimlessly. It's a harsh take, but there's some truth to it.
Is Kimmich better than Kroos?
No. Kroos has had bad tournaments, but he's also won multiple Champions Leagues and been a key player for Real Madrid. Kimmich hasn't reached that level.
Why do Bayern and Germany struggle with Kimmich in midfield?
Because he's not a natural defensive midfielder. He's not strong enough defensively, and he's not creative enough to be a pure playmaker. He's caught between roles.
Should Kimmich stop taking set pieces?
Maybe not all of them. He's good at them, but it might be better to share the load. Sometimes a fresh taker can offer a different threat.
