Payet snubs Hammers captain

  • by Staff Writer
  • Monday, 16th January 2017

Mark Noble says that Dimitri Payet hasn't spoken to him for more than three weeks.

The French international has effectively gone on strike after West Ham refused to release him from the five year contract he signed less than a year ago.

And Noble, who claimed to have "a great relationship" with Payet admitted that he was hugely disappointed to have been shunned by the Euro 16 star.

"I had - and I say had, because I haven't really spoken to him for the last two or three weeks - a great relationship with him, but I don't know his reasons," Noble told the Mail.

"I am not going to comment on why he wanted to leave, but I do know that if someone doesn't want to play for the team then they are better off not even playing.

"I thought the manager was right in what he did because it is hard. You have to win games and if your best player doesn't want to play for you then obviously he has had to do something about it.




"I have been here all my life so I find it hard to realise that someone wouldn't want to play for the club. It's a massive club and he is absolutely adored — was adored here — by the fans. But football and fans change quickly."

Unlike Payet, who was roundly abused throughout the match, Noble played a vital role in Saturday's comfortable 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.

And the Hammers captain played a major role in West Ham's second goal, the wonderful scissors-kick finish from Andy Carroll.

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