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Kimmich the natural heir to Lahm, says Ancelotti

The 22-year-old Germany international has been tipped for a "fantastic future" by the Italian boss, who has been impressed by the defender

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti says that it will be "impossible" to replace Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso, but named Joshua Kimmich as the former's "natural" heir.

Lahm and Alonso will bring the curtains down on their careers in Saturday's Bundesliga clash against Freiburg and, while acknowledging the hole that will be left in the Bavarians' squad following their retirement, the Italian coach was keen to emphasise the strengths of his other players.

Guardiola and Gerrard hail Bayern duo

"To replace Lahm and Alonso is impossible, because of the quality, the experience, the personality," Ancelotti said.