Bilic: Payet’s not Messi…but you can’t stop him

Mark Holmes
Dimitri Payet: In good form for West Ham

Dimitri Payet: In good form for West Ham

Dimitri Payet would not dare to compare Dimitri Payet to Lionel Messi but believes he is similar in the sense that he cannot be stopped.

Payet has made a superb start to life in England since joining West Ham Marseille in June.

Payet’s two goals against Newcastle on Monday took his tally to three in five games this season, and Bilic says opponents will struggle to stop the Frenchman.

“He’s just a good player,” Bilic said.

“I am not comparing him to (Lionel) Messi or (Cristiano) Ronaldo or (David) Silva but for years managers try to block or stop those big players but they cannot do it.

“That’s why they are great players. To add to that Dimitri is playing in a position you have to close down, no matter who plays there.

“He will continue to play like this, especially if the team plays for him and we are helping him.”

Andy Carroll could feature for West Ham at Manchester City on Saturday after the striker came off the bench against Newcastle, following his seven-month absence with a knee injury.

Midfielder Pedro Obiang is hoping to shake off a knock to his ankle, but defender Angelo Ogbonna is expected to be out for two weeks with a hamstring injury.