Payet sporting the French kit ———- Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Dimitri_Payet_-_France_v_Armenia.jpg/361px-Dimitri_Payet_-_France_v_Armenia.jpg
With 9 goals and 10 assists in the English Premier League this season, Dimitri Payet has been in prime form for West Ham this season. With an already loaded squad, Payet will most likely see the majority of his time on the pitch as substitute. Didier Deschamps, the French manager has been high on Payet noting “He has a very particular style — he’s capable of making others play.” France are already considered to be among the early favorites, and by utilizing the production and skill of Payet, France could solidify their legitimacy. Along with Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann, and Paul Pogba, Dimtri Payet was recently nominated for an award recognizing the best French footballers playing outside of France. He was also selected to the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. Despite his recent form, Payet has only made 17 caps in 6 years for the French national team. However, he has played well in the opportunities given to him recently and he will be looking to continue his meteoric rise to stardom at the European Championship. Payet’s ability to distribute the ball and score from distance will see him playing time. Watch out for the “Free Kick Freak” come June 10.
Other Players:
Starters:
Forwards: Zlatan Ibrahimović
Midfielders: Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Robbie Keane, Arda Turan
Defenders: Jordi Alba, Vlad Chiricheș, Ashley Williams, Taulant Xhaka
Goalkeeper: The Gianluigi Buffon
Substitutes:
Forwards: Eden Hazard, Jakub Błaszczykowski
Midfielders: Mesut Özil, Yevhen Konoplyanka, Gökhan Inler, James Milner, Balázs Dzsudzsák
Sources:
http://www.goal.com/en-us/people/france/11897/dimitri-payet/national?ICID=PP_11897
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimitri_Payet
Written By: Austin Tran and Chris Arora
How to cite this article: “Euro 2016 Key Players to Watch” Written by Austin Tran and Chris Arora (2016), European Cup 2016 Guide, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/european-cup-2016-guide/ (accessed on (date)).
