Captain Kimmich fine with return into midfield in Germany team

Germany captain Joshua Kimmich is fine with returning from the right back position into midfield in the national team, given that he also plays there for his club Bayern Munich.

Kimmich said after Bayern's 2-1 over Olympique Lyon in a pre-season match on Saturday that "I play where he (coach Julian Nagelsmann) tells me to.

"Julian knows that I will play on the right if he needs me as a right back. If he wants to have me in midfield, then it will be midfield. It is his decision," Kimmich said.

Kimmich had moved from midfield to the right back position after Nagelsmann started, with the coach citing a lack of options on the right.

But he has now changed his mind and seemingly sees a better chance for the team to do well at next year's World Cup if he has midfielders who also play there at club level. He also said only few players have Kimmich's class in the heart of the team.

Kimmich has played in Bayern's midfield for many years but also said it is "exciting to be able to play in several positions.

"I saw that as a strength since the start of my career. It opened many doors for me that I could be flexible and play in several positions. It is not bad if you don't lose that and remain flexible," he said.

Kimmich said that Nagelsmann informed him of his decision before he went public with it earlier in the week.

The change is to be implemented when Germany start World Cup qualifying in September against Slovakia and Northern Ireland.