West Ham's poor start could cost them Dimitri Payet

West Ham need to turn things around to keep from losing Dimitri Payet

Dimitri Payet signed a new contract with West Ham this summer, but don’t think that ensures he’ll stay with the Hammers if they continue their poor start. If they don’t turn things around soon, the brilliant Frenchman might lose patience with his Premier League club.

In particular, the revelation that Payet asked the club to explore Champions League options this summer, makes me more skeptical about his long-term future at West Ham. If he was willing to leave after the club made a terrific seventh place finish in the Premier League, what might me think about playing for a club locked in a relegation battle?

Something tells me that scenario wouldn’t go over very well with the temperamental Frenchman. The club’s slow start might cost them more than just Slaven Bilic. It could easily lead to a very awkward and contentious situation between West Ham and their star player.

Undoubtedly, West Ham fans reading this are shaking their hands in disbelief. They will correctly point out that Payet’s new contract gives the club a great deal of leverage in regards to his future. That is unquestionably true, but it doesn’t give them all the leverage.

If Payet does decide he wants to force his way out of the club, he can manage it. It might cause him to go on some sort of strike, but that’s not entirely out of the question. Is it likely? No. Is it impossible? Certainly not.

Fortunately for the Hammers’ faithful, I believe Bilic can get the ship righted sooner rather than later. They simply have too much attacking talent to languish at the bottom of the Premier League table for very much longer.

If I’m wrong though, things with Payet are going to get very dicey very quickly. West Ham fans don’t want to see that nightmare scenario unfold.