Rooney 'wouldn't get in the Germany team': Schurrle and Low crank up mind games ahead of Wembley clash



Wayne Rooney, the striker on whom England’s World Cup hopes rest, would not even get into the Germany team, claimed Chelsea midfielder Andre Schurrle.



Rooney, whose goals were central to England qualifying for Brazil, is playing some of the best football of his career and would love to put on a show against the mighty Germans at Wembley on Tuesday.



But Schurrle has cranked up the tension before the eagerly awaited friendly by saying: ‘Rooney is a great player, but we have good quality, too, in every position, and maybe twice, so I don’t know if he would play.’



VIDEO Scroll down to see Ozil and Podolski in Germany's brand new World Cup 2014 kit



He said what? Andre Schurrle (left) reacts during the 1-1 draw with Italy

Word of warning: The Germans have been having a pop at England talisman Wayne Rooney (right), pictured during England's 2-0 defeat to Chile

Schurrle later tweeted that he hadn't meant to offend Rooney, who he still thinks is a fine player.

He said: 'That's not what I meant to say about Rooney!!!! He is a great player!!!!'



Germany coach Joachim Low also refused to single out any star names in Roy Hodgson’s ranks before adding that he could be persuaded to select one or two England youngsters. Rooney is 28.



Low said: ‘England is a great football nation. They can choose great players. There are many names I could name, talented young players I would like to select, but I prefer not to name individuals.



‘They have in Roy Hodgson an excellent teacher of tactics, a great coach. Yeah, they have a great team, that’s for sure.’

Climb down: Joachim Low dodged the question when asked if he could pick any England players

He stoops to conquer: Will Rooney (right) be fired up by the comments of England's storied rivals?

The fact that the Germans do not see Rooney as a superstar is sure to fire up the Englishman for the big game.



Having struggled in Friday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat by Chile, he will be keener than ever to prove them wrong.



England may feel further insulted that German captain Philipp Lahm and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer reportedly returned to Germany tonight, after what they regarded as the bigger friendly in Milan against Italy on Friday night, instead of flying to London.

