Bayern Munich star denies ever wanting to leave this summer

Joshua Kimmich has denied he considered leaving Bayern Munich over the summer after enduring a frustrating spell under former manager Carlo Ancelotti last season.

The Germany international grew frustrated by a lack of game time under Ancelotti and there were reports at the end of the season that Kimmich would look to force through a move away in search of regular playing time.

However, Kimmich has denied that being the case and reiterated his desire to establish himself as a first-team regular at the Allianz Arena.

“It was a very hard time for me,” Kimmich told ESPN when asked about being in and out the team. “When you’re fit but you can’t play, it’s very hard, especially for the head, especially for a young player.

“But all you can do is train hard and give your best. Afterwards, it’s the decision of the coach. I knew when I came here it wouldn’t all be easy, that I wouldn’t play every game. But my goal was to be part of Bayern, to be a starter. I want to achieve things here.”

The 22-year-old has started in eight of Bayern’s opening nine league matches this season and has firmly established himself as one of the most prolific defenders in Europe.

In fact, Kimmich has been directly involved in more goals (7) than any other defender in Europe’s top five leagues and Champions League combined this season.

Not only that, but the versatile German registered more assists than any other player in the UEFA section of the 2018 World Cup qualification group stage campaign (9).