Tuesday 13 October 2015 13:24, UK
Dimitri Payet claims he is being unfairly ignored for selection by France manager Didier Deschamps.
Payet has been in impressive form for West Ham since making his £10.7m switch from Marseille this summer but has not featured for the French national side since June.
The former Marseille midfielder, who has scored four goals in eight league appearances for the Hammers this season, says he deserves a call-up based on his current Premier League form.
"I feel as if it is an injustice," Payet told French newspaper L'Equipe.
"It is more than a year now that I am in the best form of my career, even if I can still get better. So, for me, it is unjust not to be in the France squad.
"Whose fault is it? A bit of mine because I am not doing what they want of me but there is maybe something else. What? I don't know. I hear rumours that I am frowned upon. You have to take me as I am.
"Perhaps it is my fault because I have not done what is expected of me, but maybe there is more to it. He [Deschamps] has the choice to make, he thinks about the group as a whole.
"That is what perhaps I reproach myself with today. I hear the sounds that say I wouldn't look good in the team. Good. You have to take me as I am.
"If you ask all my coaches, I don't think they will tell you: 'Dimitri, he is an idiot.' The thing that I haven't yet come to terms with is the injustice."
West Ham have made a strong start to their Premier League campaign and currently sit in sixth place, following impressive away victories at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.
And Payet believes the strength in depth in Slaven Bilic's squad is the main reason for the team's success so far this season.
"At West Ham, we have enough to make two starting XIs," he said.
"If you are not good, they can quickly put someone in your place and forget about you. The rhythm, it is much more intense. In training, I was shattered at the beginning. In the match, that is multiplied by ten.
"You cannot afford to be soft. You need to win the duels, to be ready to multiply your efforts. And that means going full blast. You take hits. As long as they are not full-blown attacks, they have their charm.
"We have quality up front. We are still struggling in certain games to play our game but we are improving."
