#2 Dimitri Payet:
At the start of Euro 2016, not many would have earmarked Dimitri Payet as the player France would rely heavily on for providing inspiration in the attacking third. France have an abundance of riches in attack in the form of Griezmann, Martial, Giroud, and Coman, however, Payet, like always, has proven his detractors wrong.
Often hailed as a mercurial talent, Payet’s reputation for inconsistency has become his bane over the years. Probably the biggest decision in Payet’s career was a switch to the Premier league at the beginning of the 2015-16 season, to modest West Ham, from French outfit Marseille.
The 29-year-old has been grabbing accolades and eyeballs with his deft passing and eye for a goal. A gifted playmaker, Payet is ideally suited for the number 10 role thanks to his vision and a potent shot on both feet. He has dazzled in Euro 2016 and has been the main catalyst behind France’s progression to the round-of-16.
A stunning goal in the dying embers of their first match against Romania earned France all 3 points. It was Payet again, who sealed the points against Albania on a night when others seemed devoid of ideas. If France are to progress to the quarter-finals, Payet will have to continue his rich vein of form.
