Munich - Germany coach Joachim Loew on Monday dismissed criticism from Bayern Munich over his plan to call up youngster Thomas Mueller for the first time next month. Mueller, 20, is enjoying a remarkable first full season in Munich, scoring three goals in the Bundesliga and two in the Champions League.
"It is an important part of our philosophy to integrate young and highly talented players at an early stage," Loew told Kicker sports magazine.
Loew is considering picking the forward for November friendlies against Egypt and Chile to give Mueller a first taste of the national team, which earlier this month qualified for the 2010 World Cup.
This plan was met with objections by Munich, with general manager Uli Hoeness saying that all the hype around Mueller comes much too early.
"The national team is good enough to play a World Cup without Thomas Mueller," said Hoeness.
But Loew citied players like Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney as well as Germans Lukas Podolski, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil who won their first cap at a young age and were now key players.
