Nagelsmann keeps options open on Kimmich: right-back or No.6 will be a game-by-game call

Julian Nagelsmann has cooled the longstanding debate over Joshua Kimmich’s best role by declining to commit to either right-back or defensive midfield. He emphasized a flexible approach, noting Kimmich’s in-possession role mirrors his midfield profile even when starting at right-back. Kimmich reiterated he is a No.6 at Bayern Munich but remains ready to play wherever the national team needs him. The discussion reignites amid rising backing for a midfield shield led by youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic, whose controlling display has intensified tactical options. Expect Germany to decide Kimmich’s role on a match-to-match basis, dictated by opponent, structure, and personnel form.

During a recent media availability with the Germany national team, Julian Nagelsmann said he would not lock Joshua Kimmich into either right-back or midfield, stressing flexibility and role fluidity with and without the ball. Kimmich stated he is a holding midfielder for Bayern Munich and is happy to follow the coach’s plan for the national side.

The debate is fueled by a widely cited figure that most of Kimmich’s Germany assists have come from right-back, plus the emergence of Aleksandar Pavlovic after a standout display against Luxembourg. Supporters and analysts are split between keeping Kimmich at right-back or restoring him as a No.6.

Julian Nagelsmann on whether Joshua Kimmich will continue at right-back or return to midfield: "I don't want to commit to either. I've committed in the past, but now it's time to take a step back. With the ball, he's playing exactly the same position he plays with the ball at

@iMiaSanMia

Impact Analysis

Nagelsmann’s stance reflects modern positional play: labels matter less than functions in and out of possession. When Kimmich starts at right-back, Germany can invert him into midfield to form a double pivot in build-up, preserving his elite distribution while maintaining protection in defensive transitions through the right center-back and the holding midfielder. This asymmetry can unlock the right half-space for a winger or inside forward while allowing Kimmich to dictate tempo.

Conversely, deploying Kimmich as a pure No.6 centralizes his orchestration but reopens the long-standing need for width and crossing quality on the right. That is where a traditional full-back or wing-back must shoulder more progressive responsibility. The rise of Aleksandar Pavlovic offers a compelling variable: his metronomic passing and ball security could free Kimmich to impact the game from wider starting zones without sacrificing midfield control. Against deep blocks, Kimmich at right-back offers superior crossing angles and third-man combinations; versus elite transitions, a midfield Kimmich may better stabilize the rest defense.

In tournament and Nations League contexts, opponent-specific tweaks are decisive. Germany can tailor structures: 4-2-3-1 with Kimmich in midfield, or 3-4-2-1/4-3-3 with Kimmich inverting from right-back. The choice will likely hinge on the balance between control (pivots) and width (overlaps), plus the form of complementary profiles such as the right center-back and the primary anchor behind Kimmich. The key takeaway: Nagelsmann is prioritizing modularity over fixed roles.

Reaction

Fan discourse is polarized and intense. A sizable group argues the numbers speak for themselves: Kimmich’s creative output for Germany has historically spiked from right-back, and they want continuity there. They cite his delivery, crossing lanes, and coordination with advanced runners as reasons to nail down the role. Some insist that changing his position fuels needless noise and undermines rhythm.

Another camp is fatigued by the debate entirely, expressing frustration that the conversation overshadows broader team development. They accept Nagelsmann’s pragmatic approach and prefer match-to-match tailoring instead of rigid labels. Within this group, Pavlovic’s composed performance against Luxembourg is highlighted as proof that Germany can maintain midfield control even if Kimmich starts wide and inverts inside during phases of possession.

A more critical subset worries that indecision signals a lack of conviction. They push for a clear plan—either committing to a 3-4-2-1 with Kimmich as a wing-back or restoring him as an undisputed No.6. Tactical hobbyists propose specific solutions: right wing-back in a back three, aggressive rest-defense coverage by the right center-back, and a stable pivot beside Pavlovic. Overall, the mood blends optimism about tactical flexibility with impatience for a settled identity before tougher fixtures arrive.

Social reactions

Why do they keep asking this same question every time just to get the same response from him

DAVID🇳🇬 (@proudlyliverfc)

Du bist halt ein Vollidiot er hat perfekt auf RV funktioniert aber du wolltest ihn unbedingt wieder ins Mittelfeld schieben obwohl es da wirklich absolut keinen Bedarf gab Jetzt hast du dir diese unnötige Diskussion eingebrockt

¥$ (@yedollasign)

Play him RWB and js stick with 3-4-2-1

- (@BayernX_)

Prediction

Short term, expect Nagelsmann to toggle Kimmich’s starting label based on the opponent’s press and wide threats. Against low blocks or teams that concede crosses, Kimmich will likely start at right-back and invert into midfield, creating 3-2 build-up superiority and freeing the right winger to attack the box. In matches with intense counterthreats, he may return to No.6 to bolster rest defense and second-ball control, with a more conservative full-back providing width.

Pavlovic’s rise is a key storyline. If he sustains his passing volume and security against stronger opposition, Germany could standardize a double-pivot structure that lets Kimmich start wide but operate centrally in possession. Alternatively, if the young midfielder needs shelter in bigger games, Kimmich as the primary 6 remains the safety valve. Expect rehearsed patterns: box-midfield rotations, underlaps from the right, and targeted switches to isolate the far winger.

Medium term, a 3-4-2-1 may surface against top-tier rivals: Kimmich as right wing-back, Pavlovic anchoring with a partner, and a right-sided center-back tasked with covering Kimmich’s advanced zones. Data-driven evaluations—chance creation from wide deliveries versus central progression—will ultimately inform a semi-stable hierarchy. The headline: Germany will embrace fluidity now, then crystallize roles as chemistry and form clarify the optimal balance.

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Conclusion

Nagelsmann’s refusal to pin Kimmich to a single role is less indecision than design. It preserves the best of both worlds: Kimmich’s elite midfield brain can steer build-up whether he starts centrally or from right-back, while Germany retains the latitude to optimize width, crossing, and rest-defense coverage by opponent. Pavlovic adds credibility to this plan, offering calm distribution that mitigates the risk of moving Kimmich wide on the teamsheet.

The path forward is iterative. A handful of fixtures will determine which structures scale against stronger rivals. If wide production spikes and transitions stay under control with Kimmich starting at right-back, the debate fades. If control wobbles, he shifts back to No.6 with minimal disruption. Either way, the squad gains adaptability, and roles can be standardized once a clear performance edge emerges. For now, Germany is choosing flexibility over dogma—and with a profile as complete as Kimmich’s, that is a sensible bet.