Opinion: All Bayern Munich fans want for Christmas is a healthy Joshua Kimmich

As the holidays approach and gifts are exchanged, there is only one present that most Bayern Munich fans want under their tree this season: a healthy Joshua Kimmich.

Make no mistake, Bayern Munich is an extremely talented team with a brilliant manager, a willing front office, and oodles of talent at every position on the roster. The treble-winning boys from Bavaria, however, are absolutely feeling the fatigue of a long 2019/2020 season, condensed 2020/2021 campaign, and a slew of injuries.

Simply put, Flick’s boys need a break.

Photo by M. Donato/FC Bayern via Getty Images

The defense has been a roller coaster, the midfield is a rolling infirmary list, and the offense is just not sharp of late. All of that can be helped with just a little break in the schedule — which is good, because that is literally all Bayern Munich will get.

The Bavarians will start their break on December 19th and resume game play on January 3rd. While not a ton of time, it should be enough for the boys to re-charge a bit — and potentially get Kimmich back in the fold.

Kimmich’s missing presence in the midfield as the link between the offense and defense has been extremely noticeable over the past few weeks. Not only is Kimmich vital to providing defensive support, but his ball distribution and ability to push up into a play offensive gives Flick a weapon that the lineup has been sorely missed.

This is not a criticism of Leon Goretzka, though. The 25-year-old former Schalke 04 man has been great for Bayern Munich this season, but he has seen his role change from the game-to-game and sometimes half-to-half depending on who he partners with.

The more defensive-minded players Goretzka could be grouped with in Javi Martinez and Tanguy Nianzou are injured, while the more offensively-focused duo of Corentin Tolisso and Jamal Musiala often create an imbalance in the lineup.

More, offseason acquisition Marc Roca has been unable to consistently impress Flick enough to get an extended look, while Bayern Munich II prospect Angelo Stiller has also been not convinced Flick that he can contribute at Bayern Munich’s expected level.

Now, even Goretzka is banged up and could miss time after he “felt something” during a sprint yesterday against Union Berlin.

All of that leads back to Kimmich. Bayern Munich needs him back...and now.

The latest word on Kimmich seems to indicate he could be ready to return on January 3rd against Mainz 05. Hopefully that happens, as the squad’s future captain could hold the key to the team breaking out of the mini-funk that it has experienced over the past few weeks.

So Bayern Munich fans, get through the next week and then allow yourself to relax. You can be sure that Kimmich is in good hands with the sometimes Jolly Old Saint Flick. He won’t let his prized Bavarian take any missteps during his journey to return — Flick needs him back even more than you want him back.

And just for good measure (clears throat)...let’s all sing along:

You know Muller and Lewy,

and Boa and Leon.

Süle and Serge

And Neuer and Coman.

But do you recall,

the most important Bavarian of all?

Kimmich the red-faced crazy man...

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images