Dimitri Payet has, as expected, become the first West Ham player in decades to be nominated for the lauded Ballon D’Or trophy for the best individual player, voted for by journalists across the world. Since signing for the Hammers for £10.7 million from Marseille last summer, he enjoyed the best season in his career with a number of superb finishes and incredible free-kicks.
Impressive form with France in their home European Championships in the summer continued his rise to fame and although his performances haven’t quite matched that standard at the start of this campaign, he has remained at the club despite reported interest from abroad and other Premier League clubs.
However, the main issue for the Irons has been in defence, and that could explain why Slaven Bilic has sent scouts to Millwall to watch right back Mahlon Romeo, with the Mirror claiming that the club are running the rule over the 21-year-old ahead of a £1.5 million move since his breakthrough in League 1 last season.
Romeo was previously with Arsenal before leaving in search of first team football, first to Gillingham, then moving to Millwall where he became an important player for Neil Harris’ team last season. His form has continued this season and the Antigua and Barbuda international now has seven caps to his name and is being monitored by a number of Premier League clubs.
On the other side of defence, Aaron Cresswell will return to the starting line-up against Chelsea in the EFL Cup after serving his one match suspension having seen red against Crystal Palace on his return from injury at Selhurst Park, claim the Daily Star. Edimilson Fernandes filled in against Sunderland and played relatively well, but Cresswell will now return and continue his return to fitness.
Slaven Bilic is expected to field a strong line-up as a cup run is seen as a welcome distraction from a poor start to the Premier League season, with the team desperate not to lose the momentum that they have gained from two consecutive victories for the first time this campaign.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by Indolivescore ils.