Football
ESPN staff 7y

Joshua Kimmich, Julian Draxler not yet 'top world performers' - Joachim Low

Germany duo Joshua Kimmich and Julian Draxler are not yet among the world's best, but can reach that level with strong performances in the Confederations Cup this summer, says boss Joachim Low.

Germany open their Group B campaign in the competition against Australia on Monday, and the Bayern Munich and PSG players are among the biggest names in Low's youthful squad.

Stalwarts such as Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng, Mesut Ozil and Manuel Neuer were left off Low's team, and it will be up to Kimmich and Draxler to push through and be the difference-makers for the defending world champions in the World Cup warm-up.

"Some of the players in my squad give me a feeling they will have a breakthrough," he said.

"Players like Draxler and Kimmich can still develop. They are not top world performers, not yet, but they can be there.

"This is not a risk at all. This is a chance to look at new people for the team.

"I am not lacking confidence at all. All of these players have performed well in the Bundesliga this season and have good qualities."

Low wouldn't concede that his regular stars' places in the team would be in doubt for nest summer's World Cup, but highlighted the positives of some turnover, even for a side as established as Germany.

"I think that our stars are not fearful," he said. "Those who have been playing on that top level are world champions or have been playing in the Champions League.

"But having said that, it's quite an incentive [for the Confederations Cup squad]. A competitive situation that the young players need to move ahead.

"Even as world champion there comes a time when there must be change. We have to grow the team during a competition. It will do us good. This experience we are going to have will be excellent."

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