Hansi Flick sees Joshua Kimmich as Bayern Munich’s long-term central midfielder

It has been the chief debate among Bayern Munich supporters for the past three seasons: is Joshua Kimmich better-suited as a right-back or as a central defensive midfielder? Between managers Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Jupp Heynckes, Niko Kovac, and Hansi Flick, Kimmich has been deputized at both positions and each manager had his own preference on where he’s most effective. Some will argue that Kimmich is one of the best right-backs in the world, while others will say he’s far more efficient at the number 6 role in midfield.

In a recent interview with kicker, Flick said that he sees Kimmich continuing on at the number 6 role moving forward. Flick sees him as experienced enough in that position and feels that Kimmich reads the game well from that area of the pitch:

He is already playing this position and will do so in the future for the national team. He still has more potential for the central defensive midfield; he is even more focused there; he can read the game well and has good options both with the ball and against the ball.

Photo by A. Beier/Getty Images for FC Bayern

Interestingly enough, in the interview Flick went on to say that he is having the proper conversations with both Hasan Salihamidzic and Karl-Heinz Rummeningge to explore the option of trying to bring in a right back during the winter transfer window. With the long term absences of Niklas Sule, Lucas Hernandez, and now Javi Martinez, defensive options are quite thin for Flick, and Benjamin Pavard has been his go-to right back when he chooses to play Kimmich in the midfield. Pavard, of course, possesses the ability to play as a right back, left, back or center back, but Alphonso Davies has been thoroughly impressive at the left back spot while David Alaba has been equally as impressive as a center back.

Bringing in another right back during the January transfer window is perhaps a bit of a contingency plan for if Jerome Boateng decided to leave, but it’s also clear that it would give Flick more license to continue to use Kimmich as a midfielder in the 6 role. While opinions might be split on Kimmich’s best position, Flick really seems to have his mind set on keeping him in the midfield.

Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images

Let us know what all of you think. Do you agree with Flick? Should Kimmich continue playing as a midfielder in the number 6 role?