Joshua Kimmich has vowed to fight for a place at Bayern Munich amid reports linking the German international with former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Kimmich, 22, made 36 appearances in his debut season playing in a variety of positions under Guardiola after joining the German champions for €7.5 million from Stuttgart in 2015.
But the versatile Germany international has seen his playing time drastically reduced this campaign under the Catalan's successor, Carlo Ancelotti, playing a full 90 minutes only twice since October.
After languishing on the bench again at the weekend as an unused substitute, Kimmich told reporters after the Bundesliga leaders 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt: "I'm not pleased about this. That's not my goal, I have to change that."
Twice-capped Brazil defender Rafinha was preferred ahead of Kimmich for the return against Arsenal when captain Philipp Lahm was suspended. Kimmich is the current Germany right-back after Lahm's retirement from the national team.
When pressed to explain his decision to select Rafinha instead of Kimmich for the second leg against Arsenal, Bayern boss Ancelotti said: "Rafinha is older than Kimmich."
However, Kimmich had vowed to fight his way back into Ancelotti's plans in Bavaria.
"It was clear that it wouldn't always be plain sailing for me," Kimmich said. "But I know what I'm capable of and different times lie ahead."
Kimmich's claims for a regular spot were backed by the player he replaced at international level.
"Josh has shown the level of performance he's capable of," Philipp Lahm said. "It's only a matter of time before he's back in the team again."
Despite not selecting him on a regular basis, Ancelotti has backed "Kimmich to become the new Lahm" and follow in the footsteps of Germany's 2014 World Cup winning captain.
"Kimmich has enough quality to play in many different positions, not just in midfield," Ancelotti said last month. "He also has a strong personality and a strong character. I love players with such great professionalism, like he has."
Nevertheless, Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus believes the 57-year-old Ancelotti values more experienced players in his side.
"As a player Ancelotti played in a very experienced AC Milan team, and as a coach he's always preferred mature players," Matthaus told kicker.
"That's the Italian way of doing things."