DFB sports director Rudi Völler says it is unfair to compare Kimmich across different team lineups, insisting that he remains an outstanding captain.

Like many other players in the first wave, Kimmich left the Germany national team during the international break after Germany drew 1-1 with the Netherlands and then lost 0-1 at home to Greece—a disappointing performance. Kimmich played reasonably well against the Netherlands but performed poorly against Greece, and his chemistry with Florian Neuhaus also appeared lacking. Coach Jürgen Klopp left him out despite his availability.

In the subsequent match against Serbia, Baku, Aleksandar Pavlovic, and Florian Wirtz impressed in Germany's midfield. This sparked public debate among fans and experts: Is the team better without Kimmich? Klopp has sometimes handled the topic awkwardly in press conferences and interviews.

Völler remains "very calm" about it and has full confidence in the 31-year-old Bayern Munich player. Ahead of the fourth and final match of this phase, against Greece in Thessaloniki on Sunday evening, Völler said: "Kimmich is an outstanding captain and an outstanding player, and he will bring us great joy in the years to come." In that match, Klopp again started Baku, Pavlovic, and Wirtz.

Völler believes that different starting lineups cannot be compared directly because of varying opponent strength. He said: "The first two matches were very difficult. Serbia were certainly weaker after that, and we looked slightly better in that match."

According to Völler, the players who featured in the first two matches "could probably also have beaten Serbia." He stated: "I'm taking a big risk in saying that. So this comparison is somewhat unfair."

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