"The best players always play" – Kimmich breaks silence on Germany role debate

After Aleksandar Pavlović and Tom Bischof impressed in a double pivot for Germany during the international break, questions were raised over whether Joshua Kimmich should retain his starting place under head coach Jürgen Klopp.

Speaking to Bild after Bayern Munich's 2-2 draw with Augsburg on Saturday, the Germany captain reflected on the debate himself.

“Honestly, I didn't really follow it, but you still get the sense that there's been a bit of a fuss,” Kimmich said, insisting he remained unfazed by the discussion.

“I've been doing this for 11 years now. I know how this business works. The only thing I can and must focus on is my own performance," he continued.

“That's what I've done for the last 11 years. I'll keep doing the same. In the end, the best players always play. I've done a pretty good job of being among the best over the last ten years.

“That's my goal, and that's what I work towards every day. I'll make sure I deliver the performances required every three days.”

The debate was sparked by Klopp's decision to include Kimmich in his squad for only Germany's first two matches against the Netherlands and Greece. After Pavlović and Bischof impressed in his absence, questions were raised over the captain's role in the team.

Kimmich admitted he would have liked to stay with the national team for longer, but didn't want to criticise Klopp. Asked whether he would have wanted more public backing from the coach, he replied: 

“No, not at all. He simply described how things were. He made it completely clear from the outset. He communicated it and also explained the reasons behind it. Accordingly, I was fine with it, and everything was clear to me.”