Dimitri Payet has made just one substitute appearance for West Ham United this season.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has spoken to the club’s official website, and discussed the importance of Dimitri Payet once again reaching the levels of last season, and how he is so influential on the Hammers side.
The 29-year-old France international has only made one appearance for Bilic’s side this term, when he came on as a second-half substitute in the Hammers’ 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
Bilic spoke to whufc.com, and outlined Payet’s importance to the team:
West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet in action with Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante
“It is key for us if he can produce his best form again. He has the qualities that the best players have and can help change a game.”
The former Marseille playmaker took the Premier League by storm last season, and was superb throughout the Hammers’ campaign, scoring nine goals and registering 12 assists in 30 league outings.
West Ham eventually finished seventh last season, and are expected to finish even higher this term. In order for that to happen they will no doubt need Payet to be at his best, and Bilic explained how his mercurial star’s presence in the side has such a positive effect on his teammates:
West Ham’s Dimitri Payet
“He makes the team play better and everyone around him is benefitting. The team recognised that last season.”
Payet’s future was the subject of intense speculation throughout the summer, but West Ham’s determination to keep hold of their star man was summed up by there £100 million valuation of the Frenchman (Evening Standard).
The Hammers resume their Premier League duties this weekend with a home fixture against Watford on Saturday.
West Ham’s Dimitri Payet
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