Toni Kroos: 'I should start for Germany'

Germany midfielder Toni Kroos believes that he should be considered a key member of his country's first XI for the World Cup next summer.

The 23-year-old has made 38 appearances for his national side, but faces a battle to secure a spot in the Germany midfield for the tournament in Brazil next summer.

"The national team coach (Joachim Low) knows what to expect from me. I will do my utmost to make sure it will be a hard decision for the coach to bench me," Kroos told Bild.

"It's only up to me whether I play or not. I want to put in the best performance possible whenever I play.

"It's not important to me how others feel about my performances. What matters to me is how the coach rates me. I have a good relationship with the coach and he values me."

Kroos won a domestic double and the Champions League with Bayern Munich last season.