German international Lewis Holtby, who moved from Tottenham to Fulham in the January transfer window, says that performing well for his new club helps him appear at the World Cup 2014. The 23-year-old has featured for the national team thrice in his career. He made his debut back in 2010, but the incredible strength in depth has meant that Joachim Loew has been hardly able to give Holtby an opportunity in recent times. On Holtby’s part, he has been unable to feature regularly for Tottenham due to the strength in depth of the squad.

After having completed the loan move – till the end of the season – to Fulham, Holtby says that the time is right for him to start performing and hopefully reach the World Cup. After primarily representing Schalke in German football, Holtby came to Tottenham in the summer. He made 24 appearances for the team and scored one goal in the first half of the campaign. However, Tim Sherwood does not appear to see him as part of the plans – for now. Hence, he has made the loan move to Fulham, who are struggling down at the foot of the table.

The arrival of the 23-year-old will provide the coach with some much-needed quality up front. They have been unable to score goals on a regular basis this campaign.

“I’m hungry for games, especially in the Premier League, that’s what I came here for. It is a great opportunity for me now at Fulham to get these games and get the full trust of the gaffer, Mr Meulensteen, and show my abilities and what I can do and maybe slot in to the Germany side too, somehow, to get my confidence running. I want to show the Premier League and all the pundits what I can do week in, week out on the pitch,” said Holtby.

Arsene Wenger has talked up the chances of Serge Gnabry featuring for Germany in the World Cup 2014. The German youngster has been in fine form for Arsenal after making the move from Stuttgart two years ago. The 18-year-old is expected to get more first-team opportunities in the team due to the recent injury for midfielder Theo Walcott. The England international will miss the rest of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Even with several first-team players available to replace him, Wenger has given more game time to Gnabry.

The youngster has not failed to take his chances since he has been impressive in the Arsenal colours this campaign. Despite being extremely young, Wenger says that there is a chance that Germany manager Joachim Loew could decide to take the youngster to Brazil. His chances will certainly be helped by the presence of other German internationals at the club. Loew will undoubtedly be keeping tabs with the progress of players like Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker. This may help Gnabry get attention in the eyes of the national team manager.

Germany are especially going to be weak in this position due to the age and injuries faced by the current strikers Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose. Both players have not featured much for their clubs this campaign.

“We are looking at a guy who has good individual talent, he can pass people, is a good finisher, and has a very good football brain with good vision. He has great pace. Two footed, can finish right and left. He has a lot in the locker. I am not afraid to play him. I have shown that against Tottenham in the FA Cup – it was a big game. He has convinced many people that he at least deserves another chance,” said Wenger.