Sunday 24 January 2016 07:24, UK
Jamie Redknapp led the plaudits for West Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet after he produced an "effortless" display against Manchester City on Saturday Night Football.
The Frenchman, a £10m summer acquisition from Marseille, has taken the Premier League by storm, scoring six goals in 15 appearances for the Hammers.
Payet has slotted straight back into Slaven Bilic's side despite having recently returned from almost two months out with an ankle injury.
And he proved his worth once again at Upton Park in West Ham's 2-2 draw with City, producing a scintillating display to earn the man of the match award.
And Sky Sports pundit Redknapp commended Payet post-match, saying: "Payet makes me want to buy a West Ham season ticket, he really does.
"I'm sure clubs would have looked at him and maybe thought that at 28 years old his £10m price tag may not have offered good sell-on value.
"But today his performance was class - he outshone David Silva, who I am a big fan of. Everything he did today was class, every pass, every touch and going past people like they weren't there.
"It's almost effortless for him. He was a joy to watch today, he really was."
While Premier League clubs are beginning to wise up to Payet's attacking quality, Redknapp was particularly impressed with his all-round contribution as only a late Sergio Aguero goal denied West Ham victory.
"We all know Payet has got the flicks and the tricks, but there were questions whether he could do the hard work for the team," Redknapp added.
Payet makes me want to buy a West Ham season ticket. Today his performance was class - he outshone David Silva. It’s almost effortless for him.
"In the last couple of minutes of the game he knew his right-back - Sam Byram - was struggling with injury and he got back to cover.
"That is what impressed me most. He was magnificent today, he was a joy to watch."
And Payet even received praise from his manager after, with Hammers boss Bilic claiming the Frenchman is the catalyst behind his side's growing attacking prowess.
"Yes, of course [it was enjoyable to watch him]," Bilic said. "He is doing that day in, day out in training, those special flicks and passes and switching sides.
"He is the player who is making all the other players better with his passes and his confidence on the ball and with the right passes at the right moments.
"Of course, that is exciting for the fans but it wasn't just him, we all played good."
