Joshua Kimmich has expressed his frustration with a lack of playing time at Bayern Munich amid reports that he could reunite with Pep Guardiola, his former manager.

The 22-year-old is one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young talents, having played a key role in Bayern’s title-winning season last year.

Kimmich has proved his ability in defensive midfield and at full-back since joining the Bavarian club in 2015, yet despite this versatility, his opportunities have been limited under Carlo Ancelotti.

Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Brad Guzan – 8 out of 10 Made several vital saves and was under constant pressure throughout. Kept Boro in it at times. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Antonio Barragan – 5 out of 10 Struggled against the pace of Sane, which resulted in a number of City chances. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Bernardo Espinosa – 5 out of 10 Was replaced just after the interval due to injury. Had a mediocre first half at the back. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Ben Gibson – 6 out of 10 Held the shape well, but looked out-classed by the quality of the City strike force. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Fabio – 7 out of 10 Continued to charge up the pitch and had the confidence to go for goal when the opportunity arose. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Marten De Roon – 5 out of 10 Saw very little of the ball, but when he got the chance he did cause problems for the City defence. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Adam Clayton – 6 out of 10 Pumped deliveries up the field and attempted to create a lot of chances, but it did not always go his way today. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Grant Leadbitter – 4 out of 10 His temper let him down today. He was crashing into unnecessary challenges, not how a skipper should play. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Adama Traore – 6 out of 10 His build-up play is promising, but he always seems to lack the final product. Physically, he is excellent. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Rudy Gestede – 5 out of 10 Had to be subbed in the early stages due to injury. Prior to that, he was dominating in the air. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Cristhian Stuani – 5 out of 10 Failed to follow his man when marking defensively, which resulted in Boro loosing shape and looking unorganised. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Claudio Bravo – 5 out of 10 Had very little to do today, with little threat going forward from Boro. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Pablo Zabaleta – 7 out of 10 Defended well, but looked even better going forward. His assist to open the scoring was impeccable. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings John Stones – 6 out of 10 Read the game well from the back. Also made a crucial goal-line clearance in the latter stages of the game. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Nicolas Otamendi – 6 out of 10 Boro lacked threat going forward, which helped him do his job with such ease at the back. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Gael Clichy – 6 out of 10 Worked well with Sane on the left and supplied an outlet for the attacking players. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Yaya Toure – 7 out of 10 The 33-year-old was in cruise control today. His vision, passing and ability to read the game allowed him to run the game from the middle. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Raheem Sterling – 6 out of 10 The Boro defence were struggling with his speed and deliveries into the danger zone. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Kevin De Bruyne – 7 out of 10 Was a key element to almost every City move. He was pumping balls into the feet of the wingers and this was opening up the Boro back four. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings David Silva – 7 out of 10 Another top display from the Spaniard. His goal opened the scoring, but arguably he should have had three or four goals today. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Leroy Sane – 8 out of 10 His speed and skill caused endless issues today for Boro, especially Barragan. His assist sealed the second goal and it’s a shocked he’s not on the scoresheet himself. Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2 player ratings Sergio Aguero – 6 out of 10 Aside from his goal, it was a relatively quiet display from Aguero. However, scoring is his job and he did that today.

The Germany international has started just 10 games and played less than 1,000 minutes since the Italian’s arrival last July, and following Saturday’s 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, he made his displeasure known.

“It does not matter whether I understand it or not,” Kimmich said told reporters. “The fact is I'm not satisfied with it and I want to change it.

“The coach knows I can play as a number six and at right-back, also in the centre of defence. From that he has many options to use me.



“I know my weaknesses and work on them – especially when I'm not playing, I try to do more. In the Bundesliga we have a good lead now and maybe [the team] will be rotated.”

Kimmich enjoyed a close relationship with Guardiola and according to the Daily Mirror, the former Bayern head coach would be keen to bring the 22-year-old to Manchester City.