Jurgen Klopp said he has “given up” trying to answer questions about Joshua Kimmich’s future with Germany after renewed speculation over the captain’s role in the team.
Klopp’s frustration was evident at Saturday’s pre-match news conference before Germany’s trip to Greece, with the manager insisting that attention should not focus on one player after a strong midfield performance against Serbia.
“You can tell that it’s extremely difficult for me to say anything about that, because you want to make a story out of it. We played a good game. Our midfield was top class,” Klopp said.
“But can you imagine how s it would be if Germany had three, and only three, top-class midfielders?
“Why make it about one player when it’s about the fact that we need several good players? We need all sorts of players. We need leaders. We need runners. We need everything.
“It was a loaded question. I understand that it’s a logical and normal question, but I think it’s coming too soon.
“I’m very satisfied with all the lads. I’m looking forward to the future, and I hope we have a large pool.
“I just don’t stand a chance with that question, without you guys making something out of it. I give up. Seriously. Officially.
“With respect to that topic, I give up. Do what you want with it. I’m happy with the last game, and I’m happy that Joshua Kimmich is a leading player for Germany.”
Germany avoided an unwanted record on Thursday by beating Serbia 2-0. Tom Bischof and Florian Wirtz scored in the victory, which came after a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands and a surprise 1-0 defeat by Greece.
Kimmich was absent for the Serbia match, with Aleksandar Pavlovic starting alongside Bischof and Wirtz in central midfield.
Klopp had permitted several members of the squad, including Bayern Munich stalwart Kimmich, to return to their clubs before the forthcoming game in Greece. That decision intensified German media speculation that the 31-year-old might not feature in Klopp’s long-term plans.
Kimmich has won 116 caps for Germany, the seventh-highest total in the history of Die Nationalelf.
Germany are third in Group A2 before their fourth match. Greece lead the group on seven points, with the Netherlands second on five, while Serbia have yet to collect a point.