Joshua Kimmich was regarded as favourite for the position of right-back when Philipp Lahm hung up his boots in the summer of 2017, and the Confed Cup winner surpassed all expectations this season. The 23-year-old featured out wide as his predecessor did in his best days, quickly conquering the fans' hearts.
Kimmich played in 47 out of 53 competitive fixtures, shining not only in defence. He set up a total of 15 goals in all competitions. No defender in the top five European leagues boasts more assists. The last defender to reach a similar number was Lahm, setting up 17 goals in the 2012/13 season. If Kimmich's six goals are included he was involved in 21 goals this season.
Becoming a leader
Kimmich has taken a giant stride off the pitch too. He answered journalists' questions regardless of match results. Kimmich has become a leader, as the Champions League semi-final return leg against Real Madrid demonstrated. When Karim Benzema scored Real's second goal straight after the restart, Kimmich was the first to encourage and spur on his team-mates. Unfortunately, the Germany international has yet to contest his first Champions League final.
On Saturday he missed out on his second DFB Cup triumph, leaving Berlin's Olympic Stadium smouldering with anger. The 3-1 defeat to Frankfurt was an inappropriate conclusion to a season in which the 23-year-old established himself as an almost indispensable figure in FC Bayern's play. However, the season was crowned by his third German championship title. Now he wants to "take a short breather and clear my mind" as Kimmich has ambitious goals for next season.
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