West Ham’s Dimitri Payet outperforming Arsenal's best players, says Paolo Di Canio
West Ham legend Paolo Di Canio says Dimitri Payet is one of the buys of the season and performing better than anyone at Arsenal or Manchester City.
The Hammers bought Payet in the summer from Marseille for £12million and the Frenchman has enjoyed a dream first season in England.
The France international has scored eight goals in 22 starts despite missing two months of the season after suffering an ankle injury in the 1-1 draw with Everton in early November.
His goals and assists have propelled the club to the brink of Champions League qualification, while only a replay against Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground next month stands between Slaven Bilic's men and the FA Cup semi-final.
Di Canio, 47, said, “Payet is a fantastic footballer. He can be a cracker for a few years to come. He works hard for the team, off–the-ball as well as on it.
“Look at the top footballers, at Arsenal or Manchester City, and they are not doing it like Payet. He is one of the best signings this year in the Premier League.”
Payet's form won him a recall to the France squad after a year away from the national set-up and he the midfielder marked his Les Bleus return with a sublime long-range free kick against Russia at the Stade de France.
Earlier in the year the 28-year-old was linked with a move to the Chinese Super League, prompting the Hammers to tie him down to a bumper new contract which will keep him in East London until 2021.
But Di Canio, who this week returned to West Ham to take part in Mark Noble’s testimonial, believes Bilic must also take credit for West Ham's upturn this term.
The Italian added: "You see that the club’s mentality, the methodology and the philosophy has changed completely.
“There is a brain and mentality and work ethic, which is all thanks to Bilic. This club can now look forward to the future.”
.@dimpayet17 curls home an exceptional free-kick to put @whufc_official 2-1 up @OneRovers. #EmiratesFACup https://t.co/OFJmdc4qVL
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) February 21, 2016