In this thrilling Premier League season, few of its most recent arrivals have made as much of an impact as Dimitri Payet. Here’s 10 things you need to know about the West Ham winger.
Sharp shooter
Dimitri Payet’s sublime free-kick in Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Bournemouth took him to six goals in 14 Premier League appearances this term.
Petrifying Payet
Payet was making his first appearance since November due to an ankle injury and manager Slaven Bilic is under no illusions as to his worth. “It’s scary how good he is,” Bilic said after the win at Bournemouth. “He’s a player who makes all the others better.”
Midfield maestro
Payet is West Ham’s top goalscorer and has created more goals for the Hammers than any of his team-mates – six goals, five assists.
We’re gonna need more birthday cake
Florent Dimitri Payet was born on the French island Reunion on 29 March 1987, sharing his birthday with West Ham team-mate James Tomkins.
Channel hopper
He spent his entire career in France before last summer’s £10.7million switch to West Ham. Payet has won 15 international caps, scoring once.
Problem child
As a teenager at Le Havre, Payet was eventually released after four years at the club having been accused of displaying a “lack of motivation”.
Crash, bang, wallop
While playing for Saint-Etienne against Toulouse in May 2010, Payet was accused of a lack of aggression by team-mate Yohan Benalouane and captain Blaise Matuidi agreed. Payet responded by punching Matuidi.
Eye of a needle
Only Lionel Messi made more successful through passes than Payet in Europe’s top five leagues last season – 17 in 36 games.
Honours
Payet was named in the Ligue 1 team of the year in 2012/13 and 2014/15, though his trophy cabinet remains bare.
Boots
Payet’s wears Nike Mercurial Superfly boots – the same footwear of choice as Cristiano Ronaldo and Eden Hazard