Dimitri Payet's success can attract more stars to West Ham, says Slaven Bilic
Friday 1 April 2016 07:35, UK
Slaven Bilic believes Dimitri Payet's recent international success could help West Ham attract more big names this summer.
Payet has been a revelation for the Hammers since signing from Marseille last summer and was rewarded with a new five-year deal in February.
The midfielder's impressive Premier League displays earned a recall into Didier Deschamps' France squad for the friendlies against the Netherlands and Russia in March.
Payet produced a man-of-the-match performance against the Dutch on Friday night and capped a fine international break with a superb goal against Russia on Tuesday.
Bilic is hoping the 29-year-old can replicate that form against Crystal Palace on Saturday and feels the player's return to the international fold will show others they can improve their careers by moving to the club.
"Maybe some of the French players or press who knew how good he was were thinking, 'That is it, no chance with the national team or anything'," said Bilic, speaking about Payet's move to West Ham last year.
"'OK you are going to be living in London at a good club and make good money, and that is it.' But Payet has raised his game by playing for West Ham and that can change things.
"Because of him and because of more players, they should think now that if they are going to West Ham it is a step up in their career if anything."
Bilic also feels Payet's international form will benefit the Hammers as West Ham continue their pursuit of a Champions League place.
"It is great for him and great for us," said Bilic. "In one hand you'd love him to be with us, train and rest, but it is great.
"He was very confident before but he will become even more confident now. At the end of the day he didn't go for holiday - he was training with top-quality players and a top-quality coach.
"His situation regarding France has changed a lot. I read that before these couple of games many people were asking why he was not in - he had good games, he was man of the match against Holland and then came on against Russia and scored that wonderful free-kick.
"To get into a team full of quality in every position is great for him in the first place, it is good for us, he is playing for us and it is a big boost for him before the last games of the season."
