Kimmich reveals how Guardiola changed his career

Seen by many to be the heir to the legendary Philip Lahm for both club and country, things could have been very different for Joshua Kimmich.

He got a move to the biggest club in the German game from then-second tier RB Leipzig, and couldn't belive his luck, recounting the moment his agent informed him of the move: "I thought he was joking." the young defender told the 'Daily Mail'. 

"I was 20 years old playing in the second division. I was like, 'Why do they want to get me when they can have every player in the world?' So it was a bit strange for me. But I knew I had this great opportunity."

Not only did Guardiola pluck him from obscurity, he also gave Kimmich a huge tactical knowledge which he carries through with him still.

"I played different positions. With Pep, it's really important to know where team-mates are in every moment and also where the opponents are. So you learn and get another feeling of the space.

"You know every time you get the ball I can pass it to this player and this player. You know where your team-mates are, in which space. And so you think a bit different about the whole game of football."