Brace The Hammer - Dimitri Payet Demands Shocking Exit from West Ham UnitedBrace the Hammer, a West Ham United communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52805/bracethehammer_minimal.5..png2017-09-05T08:50:34-04:00http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/rss/stream/140147332017-09-05T08:50:34-04:002017-09-05T08:50:34-04:00“I know how to be a dickhead” - Dimitri Payet discusses West Ham exit
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<p id="14C2b3">Some wounds never heal for <a href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/">West Ham United</a> fans, Frank Lampard, Paul Ince and now Dimitri Payet. After lighting up Upton Park during his first season in East London, the 30-year-old Frenchman left the club in <a href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/12/14250672/west-ham-fans-react-to-payets-transfer-request">controversial circumstances</a> to return to Marseille.</p>
<p id="k3gWxh">Payet recently stirred up old wounds in an interview with a French magazine where he described his final days at the club - Quotes via <a href="http://sportwitness.co.uk/i-know-dckhead-payet-opens-forced-west-ham-exit/">Sports Witness</a>.</p>
<p id="DmlPsk"> Describing Bilic, Payet said:</p>
<blockquote><p id="dL9x1f"><em>“He managed me like a father. We spoke every day. He quickly understood how I worked. You saw that straight away in how quickly I adapted. He’s a cranky guy. He’s from Croatia… He can shout, but he’s good at man management”.</em></p></blockquote>
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<p id="NLNWMQ">Payet added that he didn’t take it personally when the manager<a href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/12/14249352/developing-payet-wants-out-bilic-furious-sullivan-refuses-to-sell"> called him out the press conference</a>, but can make a manager’s life very difficult:</p>
<blockquote><p id="JUXoth"><em>“I know how to be a dickhead. It’s one of my specialties. It’s a little game. When I want to piss everyone off, I do it. My managers understood that: when I sulk, they talk to me. It’s a way for me to be heard. Those who know me play along, and, in the end, it goes well”.</em></p></blockquote>
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<p id="2HSVdw">Paye explained that things started to go wrong after Euro 2016, where he became homesick and resolved to leave the Irons:</p>
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<p id="txYPlq"><em>“I left Marseille feeling unsatisfied. Playing in Marseille during the Euros brought all that back, and I saw the fans were still behind me despite me changing clubs. I told myself when I left that I would return to OM. Leaving was never in my plans, anyways. </em></p>
<p id="UKKeYD"><em>“No one ever forces me to do anything, but leaving the club [Marseille] was done out of love. I knew there was a need for money, and the most expensive players would be sold. I could have said didn’t want to leave, but when you love OM, you can’t even think about leaving it in the shit.</em></p>
<p id="PwFE2n"><em>“I left for many reasons, but the main one was about football: West Ham’s objectives weren’t the same as the last season, and I felt in danger for my football and my chances with the national team. I had a choice to make.”</em></p>
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<p id="eHzcqv">They say honesty is the best policy. Payet has been very honest, (verging into the unprofessional) since he re-joined Marseille; previously stating that he became <a href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/3/10/14880000/dimitri-payet-on-leaving-west-ham-i-was-bored-and-going-through-matches-without-any-pleasure">bored with West Ham’s defensive football</a>. Hammers fans probably couldn’t think any less of the French international at this point. Nine months after the leaving the club, he’s still slagging us off in the press. Class act.</p>
https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/9/5/16254548/dimitri-payet-discusses-west-ham-exitJack Kavanagh2017-03-10T06:20:31-05:002017-03-10T06:20:31-05:00Dimitri Payet on Leaving West Ham: “I Was Bored”
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<p><em>Payetgate comes screaming back into the headlines after his inflammatory remarks </em></p> <p id="WeUHi9"><span>Dimitri Payet</span> wasn’t sure that West Ham fans hated him enough after his acrimonious departure, so he’s added insult to injury with inflammatory comments about his reasons for leaving the club. He has lashed out at Hammers boss Slaven Bilic and cited the defensive football employed by the coach as a primary motivation for leaving.</p>
<p id="ntccQY">The Frenchman shocked the fans during the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">January transfer window</a> by <a href="http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/12/14249352/developing-payet-wants-out-bilic-furious-sullivan-refuses-to-sell">refusing to play</a> for West Ham until he was sold. A £25 million transfer was eventually agreed with Marseille once it had become clear that <a href="http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/12/14250672/west-ham-fans-react-to-payets-transfer-request">the fans were furious about the situation</a>. This is the very abridged version of a transfer saga that engulfed the club for most of January.</p>
<p id="WOmZFn">Since moving back to France, Payet has scored three goals in eight games including this beauty:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">In case you were wondering, Dimitri Payet is doing just fine at Marseille. <a href="https://t.co/OLFI9WjjrX">pic.twitter.com/OLFI9WjjrX</a></p>— Brandon Boyer (@iBrandonBoyer) <a href="https://twitter.com/iBrandonBoyer/status/839125241351835648">March 7, 2017</a>
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<p id="XO1y9F">In an interview with <a href="http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Dimitri-payet-on-peut-dire-que-je-m-embetais-oui/784239">French newspaper L’Equipe</a>, Payet said:</p>
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<p id="LO5qnR"><em>“Our way of approaching matches, the defensive system put in place did not please me. You can say that it bothered me, yes. I got through games without any pleasure.</em></p>
<p id="fcbRLX"><em>With West Ham at home against Hull, we won 1-0 and they hit the post four times. In the changing room everyone was happy, but the man of the match that day was the post.</em></p>
<p id="gwQstV"><em>I thought that I would not have room for improvement. On the contrary, I risked regressing. I need another challenge.”</em></p>
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<p id="E1JbUk">I find it ridiculous that Payet would call out West Ham’s defensive organisation, when he was one of the players least interested in helping out at the back. He admits that he had given up this season and wasn’t putting in any effort, which was apparent to anyone watching West Ham this season.</p>
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<p id="QNRxBI">He continues by saying that the club’s league position was beneath him and that he was bored playing in the system:</p>
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<p id="aBmahv"><em>“I no longer wanted to play in a team at the bottom of the Premier League. Our way of approaching matches, I didn't like the defensive system put in place.</em></p>
<p id="YGwEeP"><em>Playing 4-5-1, I could have all the liberty in the world – it was complicated to express myself. You can say I was bored, yes.</em></p>
<p id="OonMft"><em>I was going through matches without any pleasure. Then I had contact with Marseille, especially with Rudi Garcia who has a philosophy I know well. The choice was quick. If I had waited six months, I was losing six months.</em></p>
<p id="78O0sn"><em>On the contrary, I took the risk of going backwards. I needed another challenge.”</em></p>
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<p id="YdO0D3">To summarise Payet didn’t want to leave for ‘family reasons’ but to avoid the club ruining his career.</p>
<p id="CaGIaX">Fans on social media have been having their say on these revelations, I didn’t think people could have less respect for Payet, but I was wrong:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">He was brilliant for us, but due to his actions, Dimitri Payet will go down as one of the most hated players in West Ham history.</p>— West Ham Fan Zone (@WHUFCFZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHUFCFZ/status/840142748422303745">March 10, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: West Ham United have erected a statue in honour of Dimitri Payet at their training ground... <a href="https://t.co/eC0UhvMnEa">pic.twitter.com/eC0UhvMnEa</a></p>— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) <a href="https://twitter.com/BeWarmers/status/839905500628156420">March 9, 2017</a>
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<p id="qnZKyW">Any sympathy and appreciate I had for Payet have been erased after these petty comments to the French media. The way he left was one thing, but to insult his former club and manager is disgraceful. </p>
<p id="80RyTy">West Ham fans appreciate players who want to play for the club, look at <span>Carlton Cole</span>, he was never the best player. But he <em>tried</em>. We love seeing players who take the club seriously and are willing to pitch in when the going gets tough. </p>
<p id="KnPyye">Payet was happy when the club was pushing for Europe, but as soon as relegation looked possible he threw a tantrum and left. Immediately the club started winning games without him. This isn’t a coincidence, the team is a lot better without Payet.</p>
<p id="XNLEXv">Still, it’s a sad ending for the best player I’ve seen in a West Ham shirt.</p>
https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/3/10/14880000/dimitri-payet-on-leaving-west-ham-i-was-bored-and-going-through-matches-without-any-pleasureJack Kavanagh2017-02-04T06:18:23-05:002017-02-04T06:18:23-05:00West Ham Unsettled Scott Hogan Like Marseille Did Payet
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<p>Both players left their clubs in controversial circumstances after having their "heads turned"</p> <p class="p-large-text" id="fOYdi9">We love a moan at West Ham. There’s always something to complain about; the stadium, the owners. Most often it seems the players get the brunt of the negativity. Our most recent scapegoat was disgraced talisman Dimitri Payet. The hero of last season suddenly transformed into pantomime villain for refusing to play. It was all good until Marseille swopped in and destabilised the player. Disgraceful!</p>
<p id="O4ky8U">But didn’t West Ham’s failed Scott Hogan transfer have the same impact on Brentford?</p>
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<p id="46wtkq">West Ham made an initial bid of <a href="http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/10718121/brentford-reject-10m-bid-from-west-ham-for-scott-hogan">£10 million for Hogan</a> on 4<sup>th</sup> January; Brentford rejected this offer as they felt their player was worth closer to £15 million.</p>
<p id="Y69Y0s">Bilic was quick to praise Hogan to the press:</p>
<blockquote><p id="K9WARj"><em>“He’s a good player. I watched him a few times. He is very sharp, quick – a good finisher, doing it in Championship. He’s young and a good prospect.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p id="YRFZ4f">Brentford went on to reject a further two bids for Hogan and withdrew the player from first team action for rest of January. Manager, Dean Smith admitted to the press that Hogan had had his <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38708207">“head turned”</a> by the transfer speculation:</p>
<blockquote><p id="oPXpEZ"><em>"It's very difficult when I think a player is getting starved of football when he wants to play, but speculation and phone calls are turning his head. I can understand the player. I'm not hanging him out to dry at all.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p id="2EFnEd">Eventually, on transfer deadline day, West Ham pulled out of the transfer. Supposedly this was Bilic’s decision due to the <a href="http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/10749772/slaven-bilic-pulls-plug-on-west-ham-move-for-scott-hogan">wealth of striking options</a> already at the club. He told the press:</p>
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<p id="cJHSsp"><em>“He [Hogan] is a good player, of course he is a good player. We watched him for many, many games. But I believe that we have really good strikers in our squad and that's why we won't have a Hogan deal. </em></p>
<p id="MCqrmY"><em>Definitely a good player, good age and scoring goals in the Championship. It's not a question of him, it's a question of what we've already got in the squad."</em></p>
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<p id="akPzJg">Which begs the question, why go through an entire month of negotiations just to turn the deal down at the last moment? Enlightening quotes from <a href="http://talksport.com/football/west-ham-united-transfer-news-sullivan-reveals-latest-striker-move-speaking-talksport">a talkSPORT interview</a> with co-chairman David Sullivan reveal more:</p>
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<p id="h5m3Q1"><em>“We have a policy at West Ham where myself, my head of recruitment Tony Henry and our manager sit down and discuss things.</em></p>
<p id="8Kzv6I"><em>In a perfect world we all have to agree before we sign anybody and we don’t break that rule very often. So you cannot bring in players that the manager doesn’t particularly fancy, particularly in January.</em></p>
<p id="ER8i1C"><em>We have a good manager who gives everyone a chance but if he doesn’t feel he wants somebody, he doesn’t feel he is going to add to the team, then you cannot bring that player in. You have to support the manager.”</em></p>
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<p id="lcRTKa">To me, this suggests Bilic was never keen on Hogan and the board may have tried to force the player on the Croatian. It’s important for our managers to have a strong role in transfer policy, or else we risk another <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/sep/03/westhamunited.premierleague1">Curbishley situation</a>.</p>
<p id="NoClR7">Crucially, the negotiations with Brentford started before <span>Andy Carroll</span> came into form. By the time the deal was ready to be agreed, Carroll had scored three league goals in three games. These factors likely combined to give Bilic cold feet and veto the transfer.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/CNNFC">@CNNFC</a> Andy Carroll [<a href="https://twitter.com/WestHamUtd">@WestHamUtd</a> vs. Crystal Palace] <a href="https://twitter.com/AndyTCarroll">@AndyTCarroll</a> <a href="https://t.co/kwRvz8b4jG">pic.twitter.com/kwRvz8b4jG</a></p>— Henry Young (@Henryoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/Henryoung/status/821802962100125698">January 18, 2017</a>
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<p id="VP8kSD">Meanwhile, the effect of the Hogan transfer on the Brentford team was damaging. The team kept their top scorer out of the team for four weeks, and lost three in a row while the deal was hammered out. Brentford fan blog <a href="http://beesotted.co.uk/hogan-a-no-show-as-bees-go-down-without-a-fight-wigan-2-brentford-1/">Beesotted</a> openly questioned the player’s commitment to the team:</p>
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<p id="9syE0C"><em>“Were Brentford not the club to pluck him out of 2nd division Rochdale. Put faith in him. Paid for 18 months of expensive treatment. Nurtured him and paid his salary for 18 months while he was out of work. Stuck with him even though many teams would have written him off after two pretty horrendous injuries?</em></p>
<p id="xvPptq"><em>Don’t get me wrong. Hogan is a quality player. But I find it really sad when a player can go from hero to zero in the eyes of a fair few fans we have spoken to in such a short space of time due to the way he has mismanaged his impending exit from the club.</em></p>
<p id="hinE22"><em>But what’s the point in putting him in the side if he really can’t be bothered?”</em></p>
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<p id="eSneWw">Feel familiar?</p>
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<img alt="Chelsea v Brentford - The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/o4Ks0EfyIo_0HNPxPy_hajqazqY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7925773/632909762.jpg">
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<p id="dGhZyQ">The situation ended with Hogan moving to fellow Championship side, Aston Villa, for a fee that <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38808853">could reach £12 million</a>. At least he’ll get to play in claret and blue next season. </p>
<p id="d5yM7Q">Hogan later tweeted an apology to the Brentford fans:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Message from Scott Hogan. <a href="https://t.co/soVSyKmRFK">pic.twitter.com/soVSyKmRFK</a></p>— Harlee Dean (@OfficialHDean) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialHDean/status/826809722200346624">February 1, 2017</a>
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<p id="jBHM7V">Meanwhile, West Ham were dealing with the Payet situation. <a href="http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/12/14250672/west-ham-fans-react-to-payets-transfer-request">Fans were quick to turn</a> on the 2016 Hammer of the Year for his refusal to play until a <a href="http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/12/14249352/developing-payet-wants-out-bilic-furious-sullivan-refuses-to-sell">transfer away from London</a> could be agreed.</p>
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<p id="RDO7C6">At one point, West Ham <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2665112/west-ham-consider-complaining-to-fifa-over-marseille-tapping-up-dimitri-payet-in-30m-pursuit/">considered complaining to FIFA</a> about Marseille ‘tapping up’ Payet (where a club tries to sign another team’s player behind his parent club’s back). Payet and Marseille were the bad guys. How dare they unsettle one of our best players? But is this any worse than what we did with Scott Hogan?</p>
<p id="srnvcQ">Payet was publically and privately shamed for his behaviour. He had his car vandalised, was shunned by his teammates and even worse, the players kicked him out of the <a href="http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/29/14430006/confirmed-a-record-fee-of-25m-sees-dimitri-payet-return-to-olympique-de-marseille">team WhatsApp group</a>. A dark time for the Frenchman.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">ICYMI: Interesting video from Marseille to welcome Dimitri Payet... <a href="https://t.co/pZhV3DMEx3">pic.twitter.com/pZhV3DMEx3</a></p>— Paddy Power (@paddypower) <a href="https://twitter.com/paddypower/status/826183454731694080">January 30, 2017</a>
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<p id="H5gvqW">Unlike in Brentford, this saga appeared to bond the West Ham players together. After the behind-the-scenes drama screamed into public view, the Hammers went on to win back-to-back games.</p>
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<img alt="Middlesbrough v West Ham United - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BFSTArB78Fk-kB35-ngsObvSQps=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7925827/639477582.jpg">
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<p id="qyTvcK">It’s very easy to blame Marseille for their role in the Payet drama. But it would be hypocritical for us to blame Marseille for acting in a disruptive manner, when West Ham were doing the exact same thing. This is football, players leave. </p>
<p id="yzbDK1">Some departures are more graceful than others; the key is holding on to the players who want to play</p>
<p id="skFJqL"><em>Read more from Jack Kavanagh at </em><a href="https://culturehash.com/"><em>Culture Hash</em></a></p>
https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/2/4/14498534/west-ham-unsettled-scott-hogan-like-marseille-did-payetJack Kavanagh2017-01-29T13:07:42-05:002017-01-29T13:07:42-05:00Confirmed: A record fee of £25m sees Dimitri Payet return to Olympique de Marseille
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<p>A Tale of Two Hammers: Payet certainly has his of the story, we just haven’t heard it yet.</p> <p id="12Gp2Z"><span>Dimitri Payet</span> will undoubtedly be remembered as a petulant and selfish player who, despite the clear talent, never played for the club, but for himself. While all of that is true, there is another side of the story looming. A tale that has yet to be told that could shed some light onto this abrupt and sudden departure. 11 months ago Dimitri signed a club record-breaking contract because of dreams that were promised to him, as well as the fans. A new stadium, new players, new kits... all of which met controversy this year. A failure to live up to those aspirations forced both Payet and the fans to grow weary with West Ham management. Why then, are we angry at Dimitri for sharing our trepidation with David Gold and David Sullivan? Like Dimitri, we were promised world class signings. Like Dimitri, we were promised European success. How is it we are outraged... at his outrage?</p>
<p id="xZsFhZ">Because of what he represents. He was the beacon of our success, our champion that was going to bring us from the footballing desert to an oasis we’ve only dreamt about. That might sound a bit dramatic but think back to the summer of 2016. The top quality names that were in <a href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/">West Ham United</a> board rooms negotiating contracts and fees. A club who, only a few years ago, was promoted into top flight football was now welcoming some of the biggest names in the world at their doorstep. </p>
<p id="cwCCE0">And it all vanished with one tweet on January 6th. </p>
<h3 id="GJigqD"><em>One year ago...</em></h3>
<p id="2SqEt0">David Gold, David Sullivan, and Karen Brady each promised the footballing world on a silver platter. As fans, we were eager to accept that reality. Who wouldn’t want to be spoken of in the same breath as <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> or <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a>? The contract extension worth £125,000 per week was a new record for West Ham United, and signaled that the club was heading towards the footballing promised land. </p>
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<p id="pEeTFe">Payet was the linchpin, the mastermind, behind a 2016 campaign that was going to bring West Ham United to the rest of Europe. Fans and management all banned behind the 28 year old Frenchamn and he hoisted that responsibility as champion might, forging through opposition. Minstrels wrote songs and cheers for Payet, which fans sung mightily in the stands, both home and away. We put our future into Dimitri, we put everything. </p>
<p id="KPzt8z">The 2015-2016 campaign ended in record-breaking fashion for West Ham United. We saw the highest point total ever at 62, with Payet netting 12 goals and creating a record number of chances for the club. Dimitri would be the symbol, the brand, of everything that was to come as West Ham United turn the corner.</p>
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<img alt="West Ham United v Burnley - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WBKTBz_nXKzXGilwUt050r_fkGs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7891237/629702914.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="DcZVWT">Of course, if the Hammers were going to be a European footballing powerhouse, they would need a stadium worthy of the best. Enter, London Stadium. Leaving the Boleyn Grounds was not going to be an easy sell, but complaints were pacified with promises of glory. Management sold fans and the media a vision in which London stadium would be filled with world class talent. With dream receipts in hand, fans eagerly awaited the summer of 2016. Surely, this was the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a> we were going to make a big splash. </p>
<p id="MJnuDz">The transfers did come, however they lacked the star power promised. When names like Alexandre Lacazette and Michy Batshuayi were being lauded as potential targets, Hammers around the world clamored with excitement. It was really happening! Then reality painstakingly settled in. Lacazette decided to stay at Lyon as West Ham wouldn’t match their asking price. Batshuayi decided to join Chelsea instead of West Ham because management wouldn’t meet Marseille’s demands. We would have to settle for Italian striker, <span>Simone Zaza</span>, who was mostly known for his yabba-dabba-doo penalty kick antics during the Euros 2016.</p>
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<p id="eskhUn">But that was all okay, why? We had Dimitri Payet. While many of Europe’s top players were disappointing in the European Championships, Payet was business as usual. He picked France up by his shoulders and carried them into the knockout stages. Dimitri introduced himself to the biggest stage in Europe, letting it be known to all, he was a world class player. Little could we know, with bustling pride, what a double edged sword that was.</p>
<h3 id="NXOzen"><em>It started with a tweet</em></h3>
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<p id="zDXtld">After a disastrous Europa League that saw West Ham knocked out earlier than anyone could have predicted, rumblings began to surface about Payet’s happiness. The English press is no stranger to rumors so all of it was taken with a grain of salt. However, the start to the 2016 Premier League Campaign was stiffened with <a href="http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2016/10/19/13331530/why-west-hams-relegation-fears-should-be-taken-seriously">injuries and tough fixtures. </a> The first six matches yielded five losses, with the only Hammer victory coming against an out of form Bournemouth side. By December, every game became a must win to avoid relegation, and to save Slaven Bilic’s job as manager. </p>
<p id="J9d5Hz">West Ham survived, and moved away from the relegation bubble. Everything was starting to look up for the club until January 6th, when Dimitri Payet liked a single tweet.</p>
<p id="G8zbYw">East London exploded into a hotbed of Payet rumors. It wasn’t a matter of if he would be sold, but when. Several times, Slaven Bilic had to speak out against the rumors publicly and deny, deny, deny. Sadly however, when a club makes a point to address any allegation, that usually tends to mean there is a bit of truth. Then, on January 12th, just six days after the tweet that rocked the Hammer world, Slaven Bilic took to a press conference.</p>
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<h3 id="0uqrjC"><em>The Fallout</em></h3>
<p id="bgDb3k">Dimitri Payet has made no addresses to the press, no statements, and no excuse for the sudden break up. Through other players and friends we’ve learned that Dimitri has a side to this story and we will hear about it when he finally exits. That day has finally come. </p>
<p id="y3NjQB">In a strange way, you have to feel for Dimitri. He’s received multiple threats via social media and angry fans have attacked his home.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dimitri Payet's car has been vandalised outside his house, with suggestions a brick was thrown through a window. <br><br>[Mail]<br><br>Too far... <a href="https://t.co/45kDR38pUm">pic.twitter.com/45kDR38pUm</a></p>— West Ham Central (@WestHam_Central) <a href="https://twitter.com/WestHam_Central/status/822222932080545793">January 19, 2017</a>
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<p id="8Nuhvc">Later, eggs were launched at his house overnight in retaliation for his abandonment. With more threats looming, Dimitri had to send his family home to France for their own safety. There, they waited, for the news that a husband and father would be allowed to return to them. Most of us have the luxury to quit and abandon a job if we didn’t enjoy the environment anymore. Footballers seem to have no such luxury. Perhaps it’s the money, or the fame, but many delusional fans believe the player should answer to them. </p>
<p id="QKVZXX">Slaven Bilic removed Dimitri from first team practice, forcing him to play with the under 23 squad. He was no longer suiting up for matches and was kicked out of the team WhatsApp group by leader Pedro Obiang. Mark Noble, who once defended Dimitri to the press and threw his support behind him, abandoned the Frenchman to be consumed by the media and fans.</p>
<p id="fTGctN">Today, £25m sees Dimitri Payet return to Olympique de Marseille. In a strange way I’m happy for him, the club, and the fans. We can finally put to rest this dramatic upheaval that has stolen the real story of West Ham this year. A club that embarrassingly fell apart in European competition and knew nothing but loss at the start of the Premier League campaign, is now sitting comfortably mid table beating teams no one thought they could. Even more impressive, they are doing it without Dimitri Payet.</p>
<p id="i2Ll3o">While the likes of <span>Robert Snodgrass</span> and Jose Fonte do not live up to the talent of Dimitri, they address dire needs. With only a few more days left in the January transfer window there is still time for one or two more signings. Fans eagerly await an additional forward that can solve some of our attacking woes. We may no longer be in line for the Lacazette’s of the world, but these day’s we’re playing for the Iron & Hammer on our chests, and that’s worth so much more. </p>
https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/29/14430006/confirmed-a-record-fee-of-25m-sees-dimitri-payet-return-to-olympique-de-marseilleJonathan Liebling2017-01-16T13:21:43-05:002017-01-16T13:21:43-05:00Transfer News: Marseille playing hardball with West Ham over Payet
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<img alt="West Ham United v Manchester City - The Emirates FA Cup Third Round" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ezj_M3lS3x_DMVI1XzJdohDOCxE=/0x0:2790x1860/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52769911/631100190.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Second bid for want-away playmaker rejected by West Ham</p> <p id="tuHHVg"><a href="http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017/0116/845370-payet/">Numerous</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jan/16/west-ham-reject-bid-dimitri-payet-marseille">reports</a> out of the UK say that another bid from Marseille to bring Dimitri Payet back to the south of France has been rejected by West Ham. </p>
<div id="6nByyb">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What are they smoking at the Velodrome? West Ham reject second Marseille bid for Dimitri Payet. First bid was £19m. Second bid £20m <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHUFC?src=hash">#WHUFC</a></p>— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyKaveh/status/821041954481983490">January 16, 2017</a>
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<p id="qkQUEV"></p>
<p id="vM41D8">Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol is reporting that the 2nd bid that Marseille has had rejected is a mere 1 million pounds more than the first bid. Obviously, the people at Marseille believe that they have the bargaining power in their hand, with Payet basically demanding a move to Marseille, putting West Ham in an incredibly bad situation.</p>
<p id="vChka5">The current dispute with Marseille over under-valued bids will seem a tad ironic to most Hammer fans, as the West Ham board is seen by many to have lost out on a number of players in the summer transfer window by coming in a few million below the team’s asking price. In fact, <a href="http://www.wharf.co.uk/sport/west-ham-transfer-rumours-hunt-12435836">Chelsea reportedly beat West Ham</a> to the signing of Michy Batshuayi from Marseille for a mere 2 million pounds after it was reported that Chelsea signed Batshuayi from Marseille for 33 million pounds. The club has also recently been said to have lost out on Brentford’s Scott Hogan <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4107474/West-Ham-12-5m-bid-Scott-Hogan-rejected.html">after refusing to match</a> the west London club’s asking price of 15 million pounds, <a href="http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/13/14263538/transfer-news-hogan-deal-breaks-down-west-ham-premier-league">putting a final offer of 12.5</a> million pounds for the young striker.</p>
<p id="8sB8XP">With the club showing incredible <a href="http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/16/14283792/payets-timely-outburst-might-prove-the-best-thing-for-west-hams-season">fight and spirit</a> after the loss of their best player, the <a href="http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/14/14273318/west-ham-3-0-crystal-palace-no-payet-no-problem-in-super-premierleague">win against Crystal Palace</a> showed to both the fans and the team that no player, including Payet, <a href="http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/15/14278338/andy-carroll-no-player-is-bigger-than-their-club">are bigger than the club</a>. And with three excellent goals, including a <a href="http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/14/14273812/andy-carrolls-swinging-volley-of-glory-whufc-westham">goal-of-the-season</a> candidate from Andy Carroll, it shows that West Ham will do just fine staying up and playing good football without the France international player.</p>
<p id="jFv5zF"></p>
https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/16/14286290/transfer-news-marseille-playing-hardball-with-west-ham-over-payetPete Schlenker2017-01-15T11:15:53-05:002017-01-15T11:15:53-05:00Hammers Notes: Slaven Bilić passes the character test
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<img alt="West Ham United v Crystal Palace - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mQ5nRSfqvDNJn_nGY7ZopzRI3lA=/0x0:4836x3224/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52757789/631661594.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Maybe the Dimitri Payet saga and West Ham’s result against Crystal Palace will combine to show Slaven Bilić for the strong character he is. </em></p> <p id="15CrMt">Being told your star player wants to leave is probably one of the hardest things for any manager to take; especially if you are a manager theoretically ‘under pressure’ – and the player in question just happens to be a fans’ favourite. </p>
<p id="rUE0jp">It’s even harder when you’ve virtually built your team around him; but in the past week, <span>Dimitri Payet</span> has made it clear that as far as he’s concerned, he has no intention of playing for <a href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/">West Ham United</a> ever again.</p>
<p id="Qkb3Zz">Hurt and angry, it’s obvious that Slaven Bilić has really taken the whole situation to heart. </p>
<div id="HRqT6i"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GwFGNpdOSEk?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="rrAYKi">It’s only a week ago that he was telling the support not to read too much into the fact that Payet was on the bench as opposed to starting. Now, the thought of the French international turning out in claret and blue again seems nigh-on impossible. </p>
<p id="Qvy17d">The official line from the club is that Dimitri Payet will not be going anywhere; but his mind is now so set on leaving West Ham that it looks as though the situation is irretrievable. </p>
<p id="MJf9US">Disputes between players and clubs can only ever go so far. There is a line (on both sides) that once crossed makes it impossible to take back what has been said and the point of no return is reached. Once you get to that stage the possibility for negotiation ends right there. </p>
<p id="r4PeQw">It’s going to be difficult for either party to back down.</p>
<p id="heP9JA">Depending on which side of the fence you sit, current events will either increase support for Slaven Bilić or lead to further calls for the club’ owners to replace him. It’s only been a matter of weeks since Hammers fans were calling for change; but that might well have been “rage against the machine” as opposed to against the Croatian himself. </p>
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<img alt="Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United - The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1Ygqz6GUR7W6LLE1y_ggGNYpmio=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7812763/511549854.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="6Jph2x">If anything, the events of the past few days have shown how much Slaven Bilić cares; and how he’s not afraid to speak his mind or stand up for what he believes even if it means further dividing public opinion. </p>
<p id="GLPJJO">We shouldn’t be surprised by his reaction last week at the press conference. After all, this is the same coach who got so emotional after that final game at Upton Park, but now it’s the other side of his character that we’re seeing. It’s always been there; we just don’t usually get to see that part of him in public. </p>
<p id="teT9dz">It takes a certain kind of personality to manage a football club and different people show this in different ways. Some are flamboyant and others dour; but the one thing in common is that they all have that inner steel which is so essential in order to make cold, calculated decisions.</p>
<aside id="XmNPbJ"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Andy Carroll: No player is bigger than their club","url":"http://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/15/14278338/andy-carroll-no-player-is-bigger-than-their-club"}]}'></div></aside><p id="EDMKIP">Slaven Bilić is no different. As a manager, he’s there to make decisions that aren’t always going to be popular. He’s made changes in the past which haven’t gone down too well with the support, but recent events have shown that he’s undeniably committed to West Ham United. He expects people to understand that sometimes unpopular decisions have to be made for the good of the team.</p>
<p id="BR3GRD">The punch-line is that he will expect the players to see it that way as well; but players’ and managers’ opinions are rarely the same. Clearly Dimitri Payet’s viewpoint differs from that of the club and it appears that the gap between them has now become too wide to be bridged. </p>
<p id="pQ8QIa">From a manager’s aspect, Slaven Bilić will no doubt be more than capable of dealing with the present situation once the initial emotion has passed. No manager likes a public stand-off with any player and he’ll be wanting to bring it to a close. ASAP. </p>
<p id="jqfKRi"></p>
<p id="rxCTMV"> </p>
https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/15/14278480/hammers-notes-slaven-bili-passes-the-character-testinjuriesandmore2017-01-14T00:29:04-05:002017-01-14T00:29:04-05:00VIDEO: BTH’s Weekly Podcast & Prediction Show; The Payet Dilemma
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<img alt="Crystal Palace v West Ham United - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iO4tP-wVutjp_xxXgw6VBGDD1e8=/54x0:2871x1878/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52747897/614885836.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>BTH breaks down some key matches on the weekend and looks asks some hard questions regarding WHU leadership</p> <h2 id="iTGIhw">It seems I have lost again to Shourjya this week...</h2>
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<p id="WV3Sgt">I’m not sure what happened. Everything seemed to fire for me on all cylinders in the FA Cup. My picks were on point - I even had some of the Championship upsets pegged. Shourjya was just the better man on the day. I feel a bit like Bournemouth. </p>
<h3 id="BAbswT">So that brings the total win tally to:</h3>
<p id="GPTXmI">Jonathan 7</p>
<p id="UEXdaB">Shourjya 3</p>
<p id="3fh2Tw">Tom 1</p>
<p id="vaR68B">Charlie 1</p>
<p id="V2ZJpH">Or if you prefer, the Americans are beating out the Brits, 10-2. </p>
<h3 id="ancyct">Predictions</h3>
<p id="hVV4U4">It was a very strange week if you are a fan of West Ham United, or even the Premier League in general. Dimitri Payet has demanded a transfer out of East London, Diego Costa seems to be right behind him for Chelsea, and the footballing world lost a great man in Grahame Taylor. Check out our video for more!</p>
<p id="kzThjE">Here is Brace the Hammer’s prediction for how the weekend will play out. </p>
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https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/14/14271776/video-bths-weekly-podcast-prediction-show-the-payet-dilemmaJonathan Liebling2017-01-13T12:20:06-05:002017-01-13T12:20:06-05:00Transfer News: Payet wants move back to Marseille
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<img alt="Parma FC v Olympique de Marseille - Pre-Season Frienldy" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FDMTLrnQQbSCdfIW6XentbYkBv8=/0x125:2663x1900/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52738429/175672937.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Disgraced former LA Dodgers owner now at Marseille; could want former star back for French club.</p> <p id="TSjTMC">West Ham and France star Dimitri Payet apparently wants to move back to France as part of his transfer demand. <a href="http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Payet-veut-l-om/768185">L’Equipe</a> <a href="http://www.101greatgoals.com/news/transfers/west-hams-dimitri-payet-agreed-next-move-lequipe-details/">claims</a> that a deal is pretty much already in the works between Payet and Marseille, and that his agent has been in contact with Marseille for months. The Guardian is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jan/12/dimitri-payet-wants-to-leave-west-ham-united-slaven-bilic">also reporting</a> that Payet’s family is unhappy living in London and wants a return to France to make his family happy. </p>
<p id="1QeA41">Payet would not be the first player to put in a transfer request because of an unhappy family or because of the transition to playing in a new country, but it is quite convenient for Payet that his family is unhappy living in London at the same time that the Hammers are struggling on the pitch and the move to the London Stadium has proven to be a disaster for the fans and the players. </p>
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<img alt="LAPD Takes Over Security At Dodgers Games After Attack On Giants Fan" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/A-UjXktJL1SnkvAuIBR2pSG-SKw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7804969/112215822.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>If this guy is somehow involved, it can’t be good.</figcaption>
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<p id="wc93cj">It is also convenient that Marseille has switched owners since Payet was sold to West Ham in the summer of 2015, a move that he was <a href="http://talksport.com/football/dimitri-payet-claims-he-was-forced-leave-marseille-west-ham-151013170270">rumored to be unhappy about</a>. American Frank McCourt,<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/awful-former-dodgers-owner-frank-mccourt-buys-french-megaclub-olympique-de-marseille-184319860.html"> infamously best known </a>to fans as the previous owner of the <a href="http://www.truebluela.com">LA Dodgers</a>, is no stranger to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/01/sports/baseball/01dodgers.html">controversy</a>. His loading of debt onto LA Dodgers in return for ever increasing profit to him and his family is <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/01/sports/la-sp-dn-dodgers-sale-mccourt-magic-20120501">not fondly remembered</a> by anyone in LA.</p>
<p id="K7jqQx">With a new manager, Rudi Garcia, Marseille have been on the rebound after a few years struggling in Ligue 1 and selling their best players for a profit. With a new owner, flush with cash after selling the Dodgers in <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2013/06/15/how-frank-mccourt-made-2-billion-from-the-los-angeles-dodgers-and-team-remains-saddles-with-debt/#39600497153a">2012 for $2 billion</a>, could Marseille see recruiting Payet back to the club as a public relations move to excite the fans? Or are they just looking for an experienced player to help them <a href="http://www.espnfc.us/french-ligue-1/9/table">advance up the table</a>? Either way, Marseille have money again and apparently want to spend it on Payet. Stay tuned to see if Payet is back in Marseille colors in less than a month’s time.</p>
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https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/2017/1/13/14264828/transfer-news-payet-wants-move-back-to-marseillePete Schlenker