Payet - I think I can still improve

  • Payet has already scored two goals in the group stage

  • Payet feels Spain and Germany are the favourites to win the Euros

  • The Hammers forward believes he can play even better


Dimitri Payet is refusing to put extra pressure on himself going into the knockout stages of the European Championships.


Payet has been the star performer in the group stages of the competition and stole all the headlines with his memorable late strike against Romania in the opening game of the tournament.


The Hammers forward quickly followed that up with another goal in the 2-0 victory over Albania and could have made it three goals in three games when his volley against Switzerland cannoned back off the bar.


Payet has shown the whole of Europe why he is rated so highly by everyone at West Ham and is determined to continue his good run of form.


Payet is now gearing up for the Round of 16 this weekend, but is refusing to get carried away with all the expectations resting on his shoulders from the host nation.


Payet said: "It would be stupid to ruin it all by putting myself under pressure for no reason. I want to enjoy myself on the pitch.


"People believe in me and they expect things from me; which counts a lot. I think I can still improve.


"I've come a long way and I want to make the most of it now."

Payet reveals his experience of playing in the Premier League has made him an even stronger player and given him the extra quality to become a major performer at the Euro Finals.


Payet added: “A lot of the physical contact is right on the limit. You're playing against a big European club every couple of weeks and you have to be ready.


“I think the level of the Premier League prepared me for international standards.”


Despite France being the strong favourites to win the competition, Payet still feels his side need to be more clinical and believes Germany and Spain are the teams everyone will have to beat if they want to win the European Championships.


“We need to kill games off ... We've got to start putting them away. 'Germany and Spain' (are the tournament favourites.


“(They) are a bit above the rest. They have the potential to go all the way.”