Why Pep Guardiola Must Play Kimmich as Bayern Munich Defenders Return to Fitness

Joshua Kimmich's career over the last year or so has taken some unexpected turns. In January of 2015, the youngster's signing for Bayern during the summer was confirmed, with Stuttgart exercising a buy-back clause in order to sell the then-RB Leipzig man to the German giants.

It was a bit of a surprise, with the untested midfielder moving from the German second division to the country's biggest club.

It was clear from the beginning Kimmich was signed with an eye on the future. Bastian Schweinsteiger, who joined Manchester United in the following transfer window, was nearing the end of his career at the highest level. As was Xabi Alonso. Once a strength of Bayern's team, central midfield needed a bit more depth and some more prospects to look forward to in the years to come.

Kimmich played a few games during the fall. And then he became a centre-back.

Fate would result in the youngster changing positions; a spate of injuries to Bayern's central-defensive options left Pep Guardiola with little choice than to play the aggressive yet diminutive midfielder in the heart of his defense. And he actually played quite well—surprisingly so for a player of his 5'7" stature.

Yet Kimmich was only ever going to be a temporary option until true defenders such as Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez returned to action. Guardiola restored the latter to the starting lineup in Bayern's 1-0 win over Frankfurt on Saturday, with Kimmich on the bench. And when Boateng recovers, it's hard to see Kimmich playing in central defense. There are real centre-backs for the role, ones with true quality.

Even so, there's good reason for Guardiola to keep playing Kimmich on a regular basis. The 21-year-old is a star in the making and can offer Bayern something even if a full squad is available. This is, of course, in his natural position, in midfield.

With the Bundesliga nearly wrapped up, Bayern have a handful of huge games standing between them and success in the UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal. These are also matches in which the acceptable margin of error is slim; one bad game could put them out of contention for a major trophy.

In these matches, Bayern can expect to play against energetic opponents that close down space quickly and can use even a small amount of space to deadly effect. What they need for these fixtures is players in midfield who are like magnets to the ball, who can break up play, operate in tight spaces and always be first to make a touch. They have that in Arturo Vidal, but the Chilean is their only such option.

Xabi Alonso is brilliant in terms of his ability to distribute the ball over long distances but is a defensive liability and could be exposed for his lack of pace and ability to work in a high-intensity game. And Thiago Alcantara is more of a playmaker than a long-range passer or defensive player; he isn't the kind of midfielder who is meant to play in a deep position.

Kimmich can play similarly to Vidal, either alongside the Chilean or as an option in his stead. Vidal's fitness, after all, is perpetually in question given his well-documented knee problems. Having Kimmich ready as his stand-in is therefore a good form of insurance.

Guardiola has praised Kimmich again and again, and even said in November, per Kicker (h/t ESPN FC), "Kimmich is nearly my son."

If he's serious, the trainer will keep faith in the prodigious talent. Even in a fully fit side, Kimmich has plenty to offer.

@Mr_Bundesliga