The France coach called up Payet to his squad for the imminent international break despite the midfielder’s absence for the Hammers.
France head coach Didier Deschamps has defended his controversial decision to call up Dimitri Payet to his squad despite the West Ham United star’s injury problems so far this season, claiming that those issues are now “solved”, as quoted by the London Evening Standard.
Payet starred for Les Bleus as the country reached the final of Euro 2016 on home soil earlier this summer only to lose to Portugal in extra-time in the final in Paris.
That lengthy involvement meant the PFA Player of the Year nominee returned late to pre-season training and was unfit to start the season for the club.
The 29-year-old has played less than half an hour of football this season, in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea a fortnight ago, and ha snot been seen since after picking up a knock.
He was absent for the defeat to Manchester City at the weekend but was called up less than 48 hours later by Deschamps for the friendly against Italy and the first 2018 World Cup qualifier against Belarus over the next nine days.
That decision was criticised by man West Ham fans, but Deschamps has insisted that the star midfielder is fit for selection.
The 1998 World Cup-winning captain said, via the Standard: “The way he started this season is a little complicated. He started later and had some little issues physically speaking. But today it is solved.
“I’m going to deal with him especially during this time with the group because he didn’t start any games with his club.”
West Ham fans will likely be casting a nervous eye over Payet’s involvement for France as they pray for the safe return of the jewel in their crown.
Without their star man, the Hammers have struggled so far this season, suffering a second successive Europa League play-off defeat to Astra Giurgiu and losing to Chelsea and City away from home.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
