Dimitri Payet has scored just once in the Premier League for West Ham United this season.
Kevin Nolan has defended West Ham United midfielder Dimitri Payet on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show, which was broadcast on TalkSPORT on 1st December.
Payet has received criticism of West Ham fans for his performances this season, which have fallen short of the high standards that he set last term.
The French international’s attitude has been called into question, with some West Ham fans concerned that he now wants to play elsewhere.
However, Nolan has defended Payet – and suggests that it was always going to be very difficult for him to reach the same level as he did during his first season in English football.
“There’s a lot of media hype over Payet and the way he spoke about PSG. But I never take that translation [seriously], it’s happened for years and years,” Nolan said.
“When a team isn’t playing as well as it was last year – and Payet was unbelievable last year – it’s difficult to reproduce that again. I don’t care how good you are. It’s the physicality and the pressure of the spotlight on the Premier League.”
Payet has been linked with a number of Europe’s leading clubs, with interest rising in his services.
West Ham have already stated that they will be keeping hold of Payet in January, but their resolve could be tested.
Payet has made 14 appearances for West Ham in all competitions this season, but he has only scored twice and claimed six assists.
West Ham are currently in 16th place in the Premier League table, after a highly disappointing start to the campaign.
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