Former West Ham hero Trevor Sinclair believes Dimitri Payet is as good as Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil.
Payet arrived in east London in the summer for a fee of around £10.7m from Marseille and has since become one of the Premier League’s best players.
The Frenchman’s form, which has resulted in him becoming an instant fan favourite at the Boleyn Ground, has led to him being compared to Arsenal’s World Cup winner Mesut Ozil and many fans even believe he is better than the German.
But Sinclair claims Payet is Ozil’s equal and that both deserve praise for their form this term.
Trevor Sinclair, speaking exclusively to 888poker.com, said: “I think Ozil is a special player, he’s a world cup winner and he’s been very instrumental in Arsenal’s play this year but I also think Payet has.
“The fact that he’s come into the Premier League in his first season and been as influential and got as many plaudits as he has shows we are talking about a top, top player.
“Arsenal has a superior squad and are going for the title this year whereas Payet doesn’t have as strong a squad around him yet he’s still been exceptional in the chances he’s creating.
“He works hard for the team, he’s possibly more dangerous scoring goals than Ozil, and I definitely feel comfortable putting them in the same breath.”
West Ham have enjoyed a successful season in the Premier League so far and have quietened the critics who lambasted them for swapping Sam Allardyce with Slaven Bilic in the summer, with many telling West Ham to ‘be careful what you wish for’ and making them favourites to be relegated as a result.
Instead, West Ham are yet to lose to any of the Premier League’s traditional top five clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United and Man City) and currently find themselves in sixth position, just six points behind fourth placed Tottenham.
And Sinclair believes a top four finish is still achievable for Bilic’s side, but admits it would take a huge effort and a bit of luck if they’re to do it.
“I don’t think it’s beyond them but they will need everybody at the club playing to the best of their ability,” Sinclair said.
“They’re going to need a lot of luck with injuries and obviously for other teams to fall away.
“A lot has been said about Leicester and whether they can sustain their standard and results and if they fall away there is no reason why West Ham can’t make top four.”
To read the full interview, head to 888poker.com.
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