Speaking on the BBC Match of the Day Top 10 Podcast, Micah Richards has been speaking about Dimitri Payet and his time at West Ham.
The Euros are just around the corner, so inevitably, Richards has been reflecting on the last tournament and Payet’s incredible last-minute goal against Romania in the opening match.
Richards spoke about Payet’s time in England, claiming that he was very sad to see him leave West Ham.
What’s been said?
Richards was waxing-lyrical about Payet.
“I played against Payet when he was at West Ham. He was deceptive because he was quite plumpish and I thought, ‘he’s not going to outrun me’. But, for a big guy, he could move effortlessly. Then the way he would drop his shoulder … and some of his free-kicks were brilliant,” Richards said.
“I was sad to see him leave the Premier League because I think if he had been there a bit longer then he would have been appreciated a lot more. He was a good player, a very good player.”
Imagine him in this West Ham team
West Ham were absolutely brilliant this season, but just imagine how good they could’ve been with Payet in the side.
The Frenchman is undoubtedly one of the London club’s best players in recent years, but imagine what he could have done in this team.
Said Benrahma playing alongside Payet is a mouth-watering prospect, while the thought of Tomas Soucek heading in corners and free-kicks from Payet is frightening.
As Richards says, it’s sad that West Ham sold him after such a short time with the club, but he’ll still be remembered as an absolute genius.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
