West Ham United midfielder Dimitri Payet has lashed out at France head coach Didier Deschamps after being omitted from their most recent squad.
Payet, 24, has arguably been one of the best summer signings this season after joining the Hammers for £10.7m from Marseille in the off-season.
However, Deschamps decided to overlook the attacking midfielder and Payet has reacted angrily to the snub.
“I fee as if it is an injustice,” Payet is quoted as saying in London Evening Standard. “It is more than a year now that I am in the best form of my career, even if I can still get better. So, for me, it is unjust not to be in the France squad.
“I do not understand what is expected of me. But not to be called up for France does not stop me for living. Even if I think about it, I am not in front of the TV waiting for the list. I am in a dream today in England. The national team, if it will only make me unhappy, then I do not want it.
“Perhaps it is my fault because I have not done what is expected of me, but maybe there is more to it. He [Deschamps] has the choice to make, he thinks about the group as a whole.
“That is what perhaps I reproach myself with today. I hear the sounds that say I wouldn’t look good in the team. Good. You have to take me as I am. If you ask all my coaches, I don’t think they will tell you: ‘Dimitri, he is an idiot.’ The thing I haven’t yet come to terms with is the injustice.”
Payet, who already has 15 caps to his name, has hit the ground running for West Ham this season. In fact, only Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez (both 8) have played a direct hand in more league goals than Payet thus far (7).
For more stats on Dimitri Payet, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
