Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has lauded Bayern Munich player, Joshua Kimmich, describing him as a phenomenal player.
Spurs had faced Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League group stages in 2019/20, and they were mauled 7-2 at home with Serge Gnabry scoring four of those goals.
The Portuguese, who was not in charge during the 7-2 rout, said the Germany international Joshua Kimmich “has the qualities to become anything. The rout at the Tottenham Stadium was Bayern’s second-biggest win of the Champions League season against English Premier League opponents.
Mourinho was, however, on the bench to witness his side losing the reverse fixture 3-1. Bayern, who will be playing in this year’s Champions League final against PSG on Sunday, went to top Group B.
Speaking with DAZN about the progress of the team to the final of the Champions League, the 57-year-old picked out Kimmich, though, as a player, that is so good that he can play anywhere he wants to.
“I see him as a top right-back, left-back, center-back, No.6, No.8, No.10… he has qualities to be anything.
“He’s intelligent and understands what he has to do here and what he has to do there. I think he’s a phenomenal – absolutely phenomenal player.”
Joshua Kimminch has made huge contributions to Bayern Munich
Kimmich has played in the central midfield for much of the season. He was, however, reverted to his old position in the right-back for the final stages of the Champions League due to an injury to Benjamin Pavard. Although the Frenchman has returned, Kimmich might keep the right-back position.
In this position, Kimmich still contributed significantly to the attack. One of his notable contributions was his goal in the 8-2 crushing of Barcelona in the quarter-final.
His versatility and overall influence on the team makes Mourinho see him in the same light as Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and star striker Robert Lewandowski.
“I’m a team coach and not an individual coach. For me, the team is much more important than individuals. For Bayern to win the Champions League is much more important than for somebody to win an individual award, but I see this kid [Kimmich] with Lewandowski [and] Neuer.
“I see this kid with these guys in an elite group capable of winning individual awards.”
Speaking further, the 57-year-old Portuguese also praised the resurgence of Thomas Müller this season. Muller had been playing from the bench under former manager Niko Kovac. Mourinho said that Hansi Flick had done brilliant work since taking charge of the German champions in November.
“He’s almost at the beginning of his career as head coach, but he’s doing a fantastic job at Bayern. Since Flick took over, the team has been playing football again. The empathy between him and his players is very important,” the former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid coach said.
