West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic is relishing the chance to see new signing Dimitri Payet make his European debut for the Club against Astra Giurgiu and says he is the all-round player.
Payet has wasted no time settling into his new surroundings following his big money move from Marseille earlier in the summer and made a dream debut when he scored two goals against Southend.
The French international has followed that up with impressive displays against Charlton and Norwich and is now set for his first appearance at the Boleyn Ground on Thursday night.
Bilic always felt that Payet could become a special player for the east London Club and has nothing but praise for the way he conducts himself on the field.
Bilic said: “He’s not only a great player, he’s a professional and is a good lad. He’s the kind of player I thought we really needed.
“He is going to make every player better than they actually are. He’s got everything.
“He was my number one target and I am grateful to the chairman that we got him. It was done just like that – not in four weeks.
“He’s doing really well at the moment. It may go a bit up and down. But we’re going to help him and he’s going to help us.”
West Ham United defender James Collins has also been impressed with Payet in the short time he has been at the Club and could see straight away that he was going to be a top player.
Collins said: “I played with him at Southend and he was a million miles the best player on the pitch. He’s a special player.
“He’s a tremendous signing for the Club. He’s going to create so many chances and score goals as well. You can see it from the day he walked in he’s kept himself fit.
“He’s come in and speaks very good English and gets on with the lads. It’s an exciting time to have players like that in the squad. You can see he’s a top player - even in training.”