The Wales centre-back counts the Real Madrid star among his international team-mates but believes the Frenchman is the finest player has has played alongside or against
West Ham defender James Collins says he has never “played with or against anyone playing better” than Dimitri Payet.
The Wales international centre-back, who plays alongside Real Madrid star Gareth Bale at international level, has been awestruck by the form of the Frenchman, who joined the club from Marseille in June.
Payet has scored nine goals and provided eight assists in 25 appearances in all competitions thus far this season, including a double in the 5-1 FA Cup win over Blackburn Rovers.
And Collins believes that Payet, who signed a new deal until 2021 earlier this month, is currently in the form of his life at Upton Park.
"It is unbelievable what he does," said Collins. "When he is on it like against Blackburn, like we see in training, I haven’t played with or against anyone better.
"He is a magic player and the West Ham fans are seeing the best of it. We have to wrap him up in cotton wool and get him out on the pitch as much as we can.
"He is on fire. He has been tremendous. When he is in the mood there are not many better in the league."
Payet joined the club for a mere £10 million in the summer and Collins believes that the 28-year-old has already become a West Ham icon.
"He has been one of the best in the league this season," he added. "I know it is easy for me to say because I play with him but I see him in training and I know him as a lad in the dressing room.
"He just doesn’t bring what he does on the pitch, he is a great lad to have around the place. The fans adore him for bringing that sort of football.
"It is a massive, massive scalp to have him sign on for as long as he has."
- Goal