₦airaland Forum

Dressing room buddies

JK shares a close relationship with Mats Hummels in the Bayern dressing room and has a locker beside Kingsley Coman

Record breaker
Kimmich broke Franz Beckenbauer's longstanding record of most consecutive starts in competitive games for the German national team in a World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland back in 2017. Coincidentally, Kimmich started his run against N. Ireland at Euro 2016. He duly marked the landmark with a goal and assist.

Some fun facts you might or might not know about Joshua Kimmich. These are bits and pieces of trivia and anecdotes gathered over my years of following JK's career. You won't find some of these facts on Wikipedia and would take a great deal of Googling.

International Debut

JK made his international debut alongside Leroy Sane against Slovakia back in May 2016 in an Euro 2016 preparatory game . It was a freak game with Germany taking an early lead only to lose 1-3 all against a background of a relentless outpour of rain, that made for an unenjoyable game of football at times. An interesting first step into International football for JK.

Der Kapitan

JK has been touted as a future Bayern and Germany captain due to impressive leadership skills and composure. He did get to wear the armband for the first time in a Confed Cup match against Mexico in June 2017 after starting skipper Julian Draxler was taken off. He has captained the national side a few times since then.

He also got to captain Bayern for the first time in a preseason Audi cup friendly 2-nil loss to Napoli in August 2017. Admittedly, it was a second string side with plenty of academy players but I think Vidal also started that game. So, yeah. Leader.

First Injury

JK's Bayern career could have gone differently. Flashback to the preseason summer of 2015. Enjoying his first preseason with the club, he started an Audi cup game against AC Milan. Few minutes into the game, he was on the recieving end of a crunching tackle from no one other than Nigel De Jong. A man with a history of aggressive play and leg breaking. Remember him snapping Ben Arfa's leg or stamping on Xabi Alonso's chest in a World Cup final with a Kung Fu kick. JK just about got lucky and limped off only with a minor injury. A lucky escape, you might say.

So furious was Pep with De Jong's tackle that he challenged him in the tunnel after the first half and had to be separated from him.

31. . 32
JK has never hidden his admiration for his childhood idol Bastian Schweinsteiger. A player with whom he shares a similar playing style as a midfielder. As a matter of fact, his likeness to Basti was a big part of why he caught my eye in the first place.

In a twist of fate, JK was the first person to let the cat out of the bag about Schweini's impending exit from Bayern in the summer of 2015, albeit accidentally. This was before any official statement from the player or the club.
It was rather symbolic that he would be the one to do this. A passing of the torch, if you may. Like from Jordan to Kobe, 23 to 24. Schweini to Kimmich, 31 to 32.

JK did get his chance to play with his hero with the national team at Euro 2016.


Favorite movie
JK is a big fan of the epic Gladiator movie starring Russell Crowe. Are you not entertained?

Toughest Opponent
For someone who has come up against players like Ronaldo and Neymar, JK's choice of his toughest opponent is a bit baffling.

His pick: Chelsea misfit Alvaro Morata. Referencing a second leg game against Juve back in 2016 where he played at CB, he confessed Morata gave him hard time saying how he was strong(?), fast and had plenty of technique. In truth, Morata did run the Bayern defence ragged that night and his substitution gave Bayern some breathing space and chance to get back into that game.

Honours and Achievements

Bayern Munich:
Bundesliga: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18

DFB-Pokal: 2015–16

DFL-Supercup: 2016, 2017, 2018

Germany:
UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2014

FIFA Confederations Cup: 2017

Individual:
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2016

UEFA Champions League Breakthrough XI: 2016

Germany national team Player of the Year: 2017

UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2017–18

FIFA FIFPro World XI 3rd team: 2018

Happy birthday to the best right back in the world and possibly the most versatile player of all time, Joshua Kimmich!

It's hard to believe you are just turning 24, JK. You've displayed unbelievable skill and ability beyond your years over the course of your still nascent career.

Yours is a truly special story. It's not everyday you see a player make a jump from a lower division club to one of the biggest clubs in the world. But that was just what you did. You were not intimidated and took the chance with both hands. Today, you are a multiple league winner and one of the first names on the Die Mannschaft team sheet. You are unarguably the best at what you do.

Your drive and desire to win is unmatched among your teammates. Everytime you step out on that pitch, you mean business. Your passion is incredible and scary at times though, i must confess. There have been instances where I have feared for the red mist, but you have always kept it together. Never one to back down from a confrontation with those who step on your toes, teammates and opposition alike. You don't take shiit from nobody, not even from Rudiger and Vidal. Even referees are not exempted

We thought replacing Philipp Lahm was impossible but you've made us believe otherwise. You display the same traits of consistency and leadership that Der Kapitan was a model of and you are right on track to emulating and surpassing his great achievements. You are already a better player at this age than he was. Though your defending could use just a little upgrade at times but it's all good. You've only being a right back for 3 years and you are already the best there is. That defense will get better in due time.

I've never met you and probably may never do but I do feel like a part of your success story. Following your growth right from the European U-19 Championship way back in 2014, to signing for Bayern to becoming a fully-fledged Germany international. It's been an amazing journey. One on which there is still more to come.

Wishing you the very best in your personal life and career. More blessings, more trophies and more individual accolades and recognition

Happy birthday, A40. Prosperity and many more years to come.

The way we dey carry this Hudson-Odoi matter for head, even going as far to offer him Robben's no 10 jersey, this kid had better turn out to be the second coming of Pele. Cos me no understand all the hype about this kid.

If we are so hellbent on signing one of those English boys, why not just go for someone like say, Ademola Lookman. He is better than this Odoi chap in my opinion and should be cheaper and more importantly has proven himself in the Bundesliga, with Leipzig last season.

I think A40 also suggested that Naija boy at Villarreal Chukwueze. The kid has been a revelation this season and I expect the top clubs to start swooping in on him very soon. We should be keeping tabs. There is also this Senegalese kid at Rennes tearing up the flanks in the Ligue One. I can't really remember his name at the moment. There are plenty of gems waiting to be unearthed and polished at cheaper prices, so why pay over the top for one English lad?

There are still quality bargain signings on the market. We signed JK for fvcking 8 million euros. I wonder if Reschke is still at the club. Our recent record when it comes to spending big on young players hasn't been too good. There was Goetze and we are still stuck with the supposed 'Omo Ologo' Renato Sanches. I just pray this Hudson-Odoi boy comes good, if the deal does eventually go through.

Obinoscopy:
It has . Where did everyone go to?

No be you suppose dey tell us? Happy New year to you sha.

I'm yet to wrap my head around this Hudson-Odoi matter. Obviously the club has been seduced by the success of young English imports a la Sancho and Nelson in the Bundesliga and decided to jump on the bandwagon and go for the next English kid they could think of.

This is coming just months after we paid a record fee for a kid who's never kicked a ball in Europe before. A lot of money was pumped into renovating and upgrading the academy training centre last year and i remember Don Ulli explaining the need for more home-grown talent from the academy, but in less than a year later, the club is splashing princely sums on youngsters from other clubs. What happened to the academy that gave us Lahm, Schweini, Muller, Kroos and Alaba? I'm not against paying big for young talents, but it has to be for the special and exceptional ones, not for players that are not better than those in our youth teams.

I never had much confidence in Salihamidzic and he has done little to win me over. I hear he is a bit soft and lacks authority among the players. Now i'm beginning to fear for his recruitment and transfer acumen also. Things will be clearer in the summer sha.

patrickmuf:
You forget to add one of his sterling qualities, moments of brainfart.
Forget the burst of pace, he isn't a better defender than Trippier.

I did suspect you might bring this up. I don't even think he makes that many errors to begin with. He might be impetuous and get overexcited when attacking and his decision making can be funny at times but his defensive mistakes are few and far between.

Oh, Walker is definitely better when it comes to defending. Trippier sometimes gets so carried away with attacking that he forgets his defensive duties.. There has been instances this season when his defense has been called into question.

Take for example, in their home game against Barca, 3 of the goals Spurs conceded came from crosses from his own side of the pitch. Everyone blamed Lloris for the Coutinho goal and rightly so but there was also that comical attempt by Trippier to head away a long pass from midfield by Messi, which he missed and allowed Alba to get in behind. Lloris panicked and rushed out trying to close down Alba. The rest is history.

You might also remember Tottenham's 3-2 win at Wolves, a couple of weeks after that. Their Argentine youngster Juan Foyth infamously gave away 2 penalties in that game but I still remember Trippier losing the ball while trying to nutmeg an opponent in front of his box, leading to the first penalty and then losing his man in the buildup to the second pk.

Interestingly, I managed to dig up Pochettino's comments after that game. Here's what he had to say about Trippier:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/en.onefootball.com/pochettino-chides-kieran-trippier-for-defensive-lapses-mauricio-tottenham-wolves/amp/

A fantastic fullback no doubt, but he needs to focus more on the defensive side of his game.

Those who know me very well will be surprised at how critical i am of Trippier considering he is one of my favorite players but the truth must be told: which is that Walker is the better defender.

Unlimited22:
I was thinking Hakim Ziyech was more of a hole player, an AMF, than a winger. Been following him since his Twente days.

He's quite versatile. I've seen him play in central midfield for Morocco at times. He plays on the right side of a front 3 for Ajax, but he is equally comfortable on the left as well. But yeah, I agree he does look more like an AM. He is always looking to set up players but he is also not afraid to shoot. He and Coman on the flanks go make plenty sense for Bayern.

Havertz is one gem of a player but i'm not too keen on him for obvious reasons. He is too young and not every kid will handle the pressure and attention like Mbappe. We don't want another Goetze case on our hands and while i'm aware of his versatility, our midfield is too deep. We fit get agreement with Voller and the guys at Leverkusen one, let him grow for 2 more seasons and then join us.

There's been plenty of talk about us going for one or both of De Jong and De Ligt but if there is one player we should be looking at from Ajax, it's Ziyech. Our games against Ajax felt like an audition and man did he pass. I remember how he and the other guy Neres kept showing our geriatric wingers how it should be done. He's low key been the best player in the Eredivisie in the last couple of seasons and i think he is ready to make the step up.

Coman and Gnabry can't stay fit for their lives and Ziyech should provide competition. He should also come on a cheap.

Another ballsy choice would be Depay. Yes, Memphis Depay. He can play out wide, as a false nine or as one of a front 2. He just happens to fit the profile of the attacker we've looking for the past couple of years. That nightmare spell at Man Utd is behind him and i'm sure he will want another chance at one of the big clubs in Europe. He will be turning only 25 next year, BTW

patrickmuf:
Yet some folks still think Walker is a better RB than Trippier.

Bro, I still stand by my words. I still believe Walker to be the better player. Trippier plays higher up the pitch and crosses the ball better, so it's easy to get carried away with that. Who doesn't love an attacking fullback?

But his defending isn't really good and that is where Walker gets the nod over him for me. Walker is a more balanced defender. Good offense and very good defense. He has incredible pace and athleticism, strong in 1v1s and can still put in a good cross. He might not be adventurous as he was at Spurs for tactical reasons, but he has developed other aspects of his game. Comfortable in possession, and is at home playing in a back 3 as in a 4 man defense.

I don't think he gets enough credit or any at all for his improvement since leaving Spurs.

nihilistjnr:
no movement, no technique...just Haymakers

I imagine this is what airmark vs raumdeuter will be in real life

The day those two meet ehn, na fight to death e go be

These Manure fans trying to force Mourinho on us, shey na by force? Una dey find pesin wey go join una for una misery. Make una try again later.

obainojazz:
Kimmich Vs Mane, Salah Vs Alaba.. Interesting, isn't it

Robertson and TAA would also have to deal with Coman and Gnabry. Sule knows Firmino very well from their time together at Hoffenheim. Interesting duels and matchups all over the pitch. February can't come any sooner.

airmark:
I'm banking on Leipzig to win. Mourinho must come to Germany.

Taa! Well, on a second thought maybe he could come for the holidays or on vacation. He might also take up the job at Schalke, which could be vacant anytime soon.

But definitely not Bayern Hell will freeze over before we appoint AJose Muraino as manager.

Düsseldorf doing us a big favor by beating Dortmund tonight. That was totally unexpected. We've just got to beat Leipzig tomorrow. No 2 ways about it.

Dortmund will be playing Gladbach on Saturday . Another opportunity for us to close the gap at the top. That is if Kovac and the boys get the job done against Frankfurt.

The Bundesliga is definitely ending the year with a bang.

Unlimited22:
Pkasso baba, I see you viewing. Your thoughts on the draws?

Interesting matchups, bro. My worst fears were confirmed with Bayern drawing Liverpool. I expect PSG to make light work of United and Atletico to knock out Juve in a surprisingly open tie. Real would be smart not to underestimate Ajax, those boys can ball. An upset could be on the cards but I'm not putting my money on it. The Spurs v BVB and Roma-,Porto ties couldn't be any more balanced. 50-50. The rest are pretty straightforward. Barca and City to go through comfortably.


A lot could happen between now and February - Injuries to key players and teams suffering dip in form- so my predictions could change. But mehn, I can't wait.

This money matter no be small thing o

Things have been looking up at the club and the worst seems to be over. There are still aspects of our game that we need to work on. The way we got outplayed by a young Ajax team over 180 mins does not allow for much confidence going further in Europe. I just pray we get a favorable draw in the form of Roma on Monday.

And yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the JK midfield show. My guy no disappoint. Pity it didn't last forever.

Unlimited22:
Where is pkasso?

Ma man! I've just been low-key these last couple of weeks. Bayern matter don dey wear pesin down but I still pop in every now and then. Thanks for asking, .bro. Hope you are doing good yourself.

raumdeuter:
David Luiz fans club

Hahaha! This was way back in 2016/17. He did make you eat your words that year sha. Made the PL Team of the Year and played a big part in Chelsea winning the league that season. After all your doomsday predictions.

TBH, there is no point in defending Luiz these days. He has always been error-prone but it looks to have gotten worse with age. I couldn't believe what I saw against Spurs. Chai. There is no defending that.

The only consolation is Boateng is not faring any better himself. So you sef hug and caress your L

Hehehehe. Just wait, I dey come

There might be hope for Bakayoko afterall. Arsene Wenger is reportedly set to take over from Gennaro Gattuso at the San Siro.

The presence of a fellow Frenchman at the helm might just be the boost he needs to get his career back on track. Bakayoko's issues are confidence-related more than anything. Not that that changes the fact that he is only a decent player at best.

But y'all just wait and see how Wenger transforms him into Prime Vieira By then, na Ibime go dey lead the #BringBackYoko movement.

But wait o. Belotti also scored a brace today. So it's a D for Airmark

Morata finally out of the sunken place. Praise be unto Jah!

If Belotti net hat trick today ehn, Airmark go scatter here

Lordfalcao, be prepared!

eph12:
Be patient, Mourinho will be available soon

Kovac is a poor man's Mourinho. Thank you, you can keep your Special One. We at Bayern have seen enough boring football this season.

I still dey vex. Kovac is an idiot. Obviously things are not working well for you, why not just try something else. Tweak the existing system or try out an entirely different one. What happened to the 352 he employed at Frankfurt?

We have the personnel to play that formation. Boateng, Hummels, Sule as the 3 CBs. Javi as backup or rotation fodder. A 3-man defence wouId go a long way in shoring up that leaky defence.

Instead of playing the geriatrics, why not push JK and Alaba up the field. Thiago would have been the perfect #6, but since he is injured, we would have to make do with Martinez as the only defensive specialist we have.

Or we could just play any 2 B2Bs and James, with each taking turns at the #6 at different points during the game. We should be able to get away with that in the BuLi and Europe until Thiago returns. And then rotate any of Muller, Robben and Gnabry for that second striker spot behind Lewy. Ribery's place on the bench should come with a seatbelt.

I need at least one of Goretzka and Sanches starting every game. Yes, We need to blood these boys as quick as possible and build their confidence. This should be a major part of the transition plan. I want James playing more in the final third of the pitch. All that goal threat and creativity is just wasting in central midfield. I want Lewy coming to the ball instead of waiting for it when he's starved of service. I want Robbery sacrificing their ego for the betterment of the team. I want to see faster, sharper, dynamic and fluid football from the team. I want to see urgency, creativity and unpredictability in our play. More combination play and less reliance on individual talent.

I just want the Bayern I know and love back.

I was watching Juve jejely before. Match finish so I tuned in to the Barca game only to see Rayo leading. Make I troll small, dem no gree. The moment I clicked submit on my first post was when Dembele scored. I just finished typing my second post and as I dey submit na im Suarez score again.

I should have just turned off the TV after watching the Juve game. Mehn, Rayo has to be the most useless team to ever play in La Liga. No be dem Madrid beat 10-2 that year. Leading 2-1 with less than 4 minutes and you end up losing. Barca didn't even have to work hard for those goals.

I hope Rayo rot at the bottom of the table.

As I dey type, na im dem dey concede. I swear this shyte is surreal.
I no do again o!

Rayo na oloshi!!