Dimitri Payet starts for France against Romania at 8pm tonight live on ITV in the UK. The West Ham star won the battle between Anthony Martial and himself as to who plays on the left wing.
Yesterday, Frank Leboeuf backed Dimitri Payet to emulate Michel Platini by firing France to Euro glory on home soil.
Legendary Les Bleus playmaker Platini led the hosts to victory with a record nine-goal haul when the finals last took place across the Channel in 1984. And their 1998 World Cup winner Leboeuf, 48, believes West Ham ace Payet can inspire Didier Deschamps’ men this time.
Leboeuf — now an ESPN analyst — said: “I am really proud of Dimitri. When he wasn’t in the squad, every time I was asked to speak about him I said he had to be in the squad. So I am so pleased he has become one of the leaders in the team. He not only has the potential, but the intelligence and knowledge of football to bring class to the team.
“Not since Platini has France had such a fantastic free-kick taker.
“When he is in a good mood the team is better. I am very fond of him and hope he will be the key man.”
How much did Payet s value just increase with that performance for France. When he scores a goal that leaves Henri speechoes, I would guess about another ten million.
He may well have scored the goal of the whole tournament in the first game
A lot of ignorance being displayed on Twitter about WH and Payet. If they had any real knowledge, they wouldn’t be asking dumb questions, like what is he doing playing at WH. They would know it is because our manager and owners are a lot smarter than those running the ‘top’ teams
I don’t read Twitter much canchaz & if the comments about Slavs hair are anything to go by then I am missing nothing.Dimi was different class tonight.Wait for the vultures to start circling & the press having a field day linking him to every big club around.
Twitter is mainly used by teenagers and people with limited intellect – I saiy mainly as there are a few notable exceptions!