'Germany is being realistic'

There are a lot of foreign players and there are not enough home-grown leaders in the top teams. We performed very badly at Euro 2000 when the players didn't get along with each other or the coach and then we struggled to qualify for the World Cup.

So now we have to admit that we are not at the same level as France, Argentina, Italy and maybe Brazil. There was a whole generation of players that stopped after the 1998 World Cup in France and now it is time to develop a new generation - but this takes years.

Germany were always among the best, so now this attitude might be difficult for the German fans to take in.

Of course the fans want to believe that somehow we will get to the final, but because of what has happened in terms of results over the past three years we have to accept that we are behind.

In some ways, this is good. We are trying to build something for the future but without the same pressure that comes with expectation. In my opinion, it is too early to demand from a Michael Ballack, or a Sebastian Deisler, whose injury is a big blow, to carry the team.

The fact that Deisler is out means that the media will put everything on the shoulders of Ballack. This is an impossible task for him to take on.

He's improved immensely and had a great Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen this year, but it is so different to do it on the world stage at the World Cup.

The hope of the nation is really on him and we need a few experiencedplayers to take on more responsibility. Maybe Oliver Neuville from Leverkusen could now emerge. He plays the role of half midfield/half striker and is very fast and courageous for a small player.

The big problem for Rudi Voller, the coach and my old striker partner for Germany, is the injury to Jens Nowotny. He was the organiser in the back four, the leader of the team and now, on top of all this, Christian Worns, his partner in defence, is also out. These are two key players.

For Germany to have a good tournament, we need players to develop into big personalities just as Rudi and Lothar Matthaus developed in the team for which I played. The World Cup can make this happen to people. Oliver Kahn is one of these, and then there are players like Oliver Bierhoff who can also make a difference in a major tournament.

We have a lot of respect for our opponents. After all, Ireland knocked Holland out of the World Cup. We also know a lot about Cameroon because they have Winfried Schafer, a German coach from the Bundesliga.

Both these games will be tough.

I think it is fortunate that we kick off against Saudi Arabia.

Many would see them as the weakest of the teams. If you compare our group with others, especially England, you have to admit we were really lucky.

Anything can happen in England's group. It is so important to have David Beckham out there for the first game. Even if he is not 100 per cent fit, his presence is so important psychologically.

He has a key role as a leader and will have an effect on the opposition even if not fully fit.

If he makes it on time it will be great for the team, great for Sven-Goran Eriksson and great for the World Cup because he is so much fun to watch.

There are so many players who could be the stars of the World Cup. You would say Beckham, Veron, Figo, Raul, Ronaldo, Owen, Rivaldo - oh my goodness there are so many. Totti is another one, although it is his first time at this tournament and so it will be tough for him.

I played with Veron at Sampdoria. He is a wonderful player who has become Argentina's leader and I am curious to see if he can take charge at this World Cup.

My favourite for the tournament, though, is Brazil. If Ronaldo and Rivaldo are fit, they can make the difference.

Everyone is talking about France or Argentina but, maybe, Brazil will be the surprise.

Jurgen Klinsmann won the World Cup with Germany in 1990

Kahn sounds Saudi warning