'I have to blame myself' - Khedira says World Cup form is 'inexplicable'

Sami Khedira has admitted he must question himself about why he performed so poorly at the World Cup after Germany’s shock exit.

Germany were in a strong position to qualify after their last-gasp win against Sweden, but they were stunningly knocked out via a  shock 2-0 defeat to South Korea , which is the first time since 1938 that they have not made it past the first round.

Juventus midfielder Khedira has been capped 77 times for Germany and played a key role in their 2014 World Cup victory, and was also named in the team of the tournament in Euro 2012 when they reached the semi-finals.

Khedira headed to Russia on the back of his best scoring season in Serie A as Juventus won the league title for the seventh consecutive campaign, along with their fourth consecutive Coppa Italia crown.

Given how well he has played domestically for Juventus, Khedira cannot find an explanation for why he has performed so badly in his two World Cup appearances against Mexico and South Korea.

“My personal performance is still inexplicable to me today,” Khedira told Bild . “Four weeks ago, everything was perfect. I played the best season of my career in Turin, scored nine goals and had very good performances in the Champions League.

“And then these two games happen to me. I have not experienced that during my entire football career and therefore I have to question myself, why this could be so. My team-mates and I have been quite rightly criticised very hard.

"There are things I cannot explain. For example, why I could not get my performance in the two games, even though I was in good shape before.

“I sat right on the bench against Sweden and did not perform in the other two games that would have been necessary and that I expected of myself. I have to blame myself."

Germany have enjoyed a very successful period in recent years, reaching at least the last four in each of the previous six major tournaments before World Cup 2018.

Joachim Low has overseen this sustained level of consistency and  he is expected to stay on , despite their embarrassing group-stage exit and calls for him to go.

Khedira has offered his support to his long-serving boss, insisting that he is still the man to manage them moving forward.

"Whether he wants it is his decision,” added Khedira. “But he has done a great job for years, bringing young players to the team. I wish Jogi would continue.

"We players take 100% blame for this embarrassment and are ambitious to make it right. After such defeats, you return stronger and more purposeful. In addition, great guys come after."