Hansi Flick thinks Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich can be even better if he steers his ambition in the right direction

Whether its nearly fighting club teammate Arturo Vidal at the 2017 Confederations Cup, going forehead-to-forehead with Antonio Rudiger at the 2018 World Cup training camp, ripping Robin Gosens during Germany training camp earlier this week, or barking at Leroy Sane for dogging his defensive responsibilities against Denmark on Wednesday, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich is nothing if not ambitious.

Some would say Kimmich’s expectation for himself — and everyone around him — if perfection. Former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick has seen that as well. Flick understands what drives Kimmich and appreciates the passion which he brings to the pitch for every practice and game. Flick, however would like to see Kimmich channel his “ambition” more positively at times.

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“The word ‘doggedness’ often has a negative touch, but it is definitely very, very focused, that is what distinguishes him,” said Flick in a recent interview with FCBayern.com. “I think if he can channel his unprecedented ambition a little better and steer it in the right direction, then he can become a world class footballer. He’s already a world class player in several positions, but he can take another step and I wish him that.”

We saw Kimmich’s intensity come out again this week in the aforementioned incidents with Gosens and Sane. As he gets older, perhaps Kimmich can, indeed, turn that energy into a more positive attribute affecting those players around him