Kalvin Phillips axed, Kurt Zouma decision made – West Ham United confirmed XI v Freiburg
David Moyes has made four changes to his West Ham starting XI ahead of an all-important Europa League clash against Freiburg on Thursday (14 March).
As with most cup competitions this season, Lukasz Fabianski has come into the starting XI to replace Alphonse Areola between the sticks.
Having been rested against Burnely, Kurt Zouma replaces Nayef Aguerd and will set up alongside Konstantinos Mavropanos, with Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal occupying the full-back positions.
Following Kalvin Phillips’ horror show at the weekend, Edson Alvarez is reintroduced into the lineup, starting next to Tomas Soucek at the base of midfield.
James Ward-Prowse is left out of Moyes’ starting XI, with Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen forming the attack behind Michail Antonio.
West Ham took to X to announce their lineup for a fixture where they need to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit from the first leg if they are to reach the quarter-finals.
Can West Ham United progress in the Europa League v Freiburg?
Moyes will be hoping to salvage his career at the London Stadium, attempting to overturn the one-goal deficit against Freiburg on Thursday 14 March.
The Hammers have already completed two victories over the Bundesliga outfit this season, claiming 2-1 and 2-0 wins over them in the group stage.
However, Freiburg have made their dangers known after Michael Gregoritsch scored a late winner at the Europa-Park Stadium in the first leg, with West Ham missing several big chances.
Resting the likes of Zouma, Alvarez and Michail Antonio during West Ham’s 2-2 draw with Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday 10 March, it has been clear that Moyes’ main focus has been on this all-important match against Freiburg.
Though it seems the Scot is being given until the end of the season by the board, being knocked out of Europe could be the final straw for the Hammers, having slipped away from the top-four spots in the league and being knocked out of the FA Cup by Bristol City.
In other West Ham news, Danny Murphy has shared a new “problem” with Kalvin Phillips.
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