Payet has chosen to remain with West Ham despite his electrifying debut season in England and his starring role at Euro 2016.
Former West Ham United winger Trevor Sinclair has told the club’s official website that Dimitri Payet proved this summer that he cares about West Ham more than money by staying at the club, and believes that he will only get better as he is something of a late bloomer.
Payet, already an impressive performer in his native France, burst onto the scene in English football last season with a tremendous debut campaign for the Hammers.
The 29-year-old scored 12 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions and was rewarded with a nomination for the PFA Player of the Year award.
He then starred for the home country at Euro 2016, amidst speculation that he would be leaving East London during the transfer window.
However, he ultimately remained at the Hammers and has impressed since being reintroduced to action following his extended post-Euros break, scoring twice in six games already.
Sinclair believes Payet has proven his loyalty to the club, and suggested that the fact he has been a late bloomer means that he can still get better despite approaching 30 years of age.
The former Hammer told the club’s official website: “Not only did he start well, he got rewarded, which was rightly so when you’re producing that kind of match-winning performances time and time again. I was looking at him then because sometimes you get that reward and [you wonder] is it football you’re actually striving for and being as a good as you can, or is it finances and the rewards?
“It’s obviously football because he’s gone on again and he’s gone to a different platform. I’d like to think he can do the same and possibly go on again. He’s a bit of a late developer so he’s still fresh mentally, it’s not like he’s done it six or seven years on the spin, it’s all new to him as well.
“So I think if the fans can try and inspire him, show him the love that they’ve shown him all season last year, I think we can get more special things out of him.”
Hammers fans will be hoping that Sinclair is right, and that Payet can improve upon his already superb form this season, as they need him now more than ever.
Slaven Bilic’s side are struggling desperately in their new London Stadium home, having won just one of their first seven league games to start the season.
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