TV personality critical of Kimmich's "helper's syndrome" for Germany

The German national team delivered a convincing 2-0 victory against Serbia – even without Joshua Kimmich on Thursday night. 

While the DFB captain pleased to stay in the squad for all four games, TV legend Marcel Reif insists the midfielder needs to unwind. 

After Jürgen Klopp had already divided his large squad in two as planned, Reif theory is that Kimmich suffers from “helper’s syndrome.”

“Yes. That’s the kind of guy he is. And that’s what he has to offer,” Reif explained on his popular show ‘Reif ist Live’ aired by BILD. 

“It has two sides, and sometimes he shows that on the pitch too. There were times when he ran around like a spinning top.

“He’s everywhere, because he wanted to solve everything. Which wasn’t really helpful at Bayern or in the national team.

“He’s someone who has this helper’s syndrome. On the pitch and off it. He’s captain now, and everyone knows why,” he added. 

The fact that Germany performed well against Serbia even without Kimmich doesn’t change this assessment from Reif’s perspective.

Klopp also made it clear after the match that he consciously wants to develop his team independently of individual players.

“We can play a certain type of football in a wide variety of constellations, that’s the plan. The football has to remain consistent.

“The lineup can’t do that (…). If someone is unavailable and we can’t stand there looking stupid,” Reif concluded.