There has been confusion over Kalvin Phillips as West Ham gear up to take on Freiburg in the Europa League last 16 first leg.
It’s fair to say Kalvin Phillips has endured an inauspicious start to life at West Ham.
After giving away a couple of goals and being sent off in his first few games, rusty Phillips found himself suspended and then on the bench for West Ham’s only wins of 2024 so far.
The midfielder did enjoy his first positive experience in a Hammers shirt at the weekend.
Is Kalvin Phillips eligible to play for West Ham in the Europa League?
Phillips came on as a second half substitute at Everton with the score at 1-1.
And West Ham managed to secure a late 3-1 win with the £150k per week star in the side.
Many believed he would be sitting out the action again this week, though.
But they would be mistaken.
Confusion over the availability of West Ham star Phillips for the Europa League last 16 is cleared up.
Confusion over Phillips availability cleared up
Having played for Man City in the Champions League this season, some West Ham fans thought Phillips would not be eligible to face Freiburg.
That would have been correct before 2018.
But a UEFA rule change introduced back then has prevented players from being ‘cup-tied’ in European competitions.
Some supporters also believe Phillips would not be eligible because West Ham had already submitted their Europa League squad to UEFA for the campaign before signing him in January.
But there is a second submission made for the knockouts after the January transfer window.
And West Ham have already confirmed Phillips was added to their Europa League squad after joining.
UEFA changed cup-tied rules and West Ham have registered Phillips
That means Phillips is available to play in the huge clash over in Germany on Thursday night.
West Ham beat Freiburg twice in the group stage. But they will be no pushovers.
In fact the Germans have shown they mean business ahead of the game against the Hammers.
Freiburg fans showed solidarity with West Ham when they held aloft a banner with a message to UEFA in the away game during the group stages.
The German club’s fans then unfurled another sign and had a very distinctive dress code for the game at the London Stadium.
Freiburg vs West Ham will be shown live on TNT Sports on Thursday night. Kick-off is at 8pm.
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