Dimitri Payet

Dimitri Payet

Payet playing for Lille in 2012
Personal information
Full nameFlorent Dimitri Payet
Date of birth29 March 1987
Place of birthSaint-Pierre, Réunion, France
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing positionWinger
Club information
Current team
Marseille
Number17
Youth career
1995–1998Saint-Philippe
1998–1999Saint-Pierroise
1999–2003Le Havre
2003–2005AS Excelsior
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2005–2007Nantes33(5)
2007–2011Saint-Étienne129(19)
2011–2013Lille71(18)
2013–Marseille68(14)
National team‡
2007–2008France U2111(4)
2010–France13(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 April 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 1 April 2015

Florent Dimitri Payet (born 29 March 1987) is a French international footballer who currently plays for French club Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder and a winger and is described as a player who is "quick" and "blessed with terrific technique and dribbling skills".

Payet was born on the island of Réunion and began his career on the island playing for local clubs Saint-Philippe and Saint-Pierroise. In 1999, he moved to metropolitan France joining Le Havre. Payet spent four years at the club before returning to Réunion where he spent two years playing for AS Excelsior in the Réunion Premier League. In 2005, he joined Nantes and, after a successful 2006–07 season, joined Saint-Étienne on a four-year contract. With Saint-Étienne, Payet played in European competition for the first time after featuring in the 2008–09 edition of the UEFA Cup. In the 2010–11 season, he won the UNFP Player of the Month award for September after scoring three goals and helping Saint-Étienne reach first place in the league table. Following the season, in June 2011, Payet joined the defending champions Lille signing a four-year contract.

Payet is a French international. Through 2006–2008, he played on the France under-21 team making over ten appearances. In 2010, he was called up to the senior team by manager Laurent Blanc for the first time. Payet made his international debut on 9 October 2010 in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Romania appearing as a substitute.

Club career

Early career

Payet was born on the island of Réunion in Saint-Pierre in the Indian Ocean and began his career at local club AS Saint-Philippe.[1] While at the club as a youth, he was described by coaches as "a kid who stood out from his comrades" and, after three years of development training, moved to one of the best clubs on the island, JS Saint-Pierroise.[2] After only a year at Saint-Pierroise, Payet was signed by professional club Le Havre in metropolitan France, whom Saint-Pierroise shared a mutual partnership with. Le Havre also recruited former Saint-Pierroise players Florent Sinama Pongolle and Guillaume Hoarau during this period.[1]

While at Le Havre, Payet endured a tumultuous four years. While training at the club, he was accused of having a difficult character and displaying a lack of motivation.[3] The accusations ultimately led to his departure in 2003 as Payet returned to Réunion to sign with AS Excelsior. He spent only a year and a half at Excelsior playing in the Réunion Premier League before being signed in January 2005 by Nantes who sought to give the player another opportunity to prove himself on the mainland. Payet signed a two-year amateur deal with the club, however, Nantes were given the option of terminating the contract after six months.[3]

Nantes

Upon his arrival to Nantes, Payet was inserted onto the club's reserve team in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth level of football in France. In the 2005–06 season, Payet quickly established himself as one of the best players on the reserve team. He impressed with the team in 22 matches scoring six goals and was described by the club's reserve team coach Stéphane Moreau as a "talented player despite his natural indifference".[4][5] His influential play with the team resulted in the player being called up to the senior team in December 2005 by manager Serge Le Dizet. Payet made his professional debut on 19 December in a league match against Bordeaux appearing as a substitute in a 0–0 draw.[6] After the winter break, Payet remained with the senior team and scored his first professional goal in a 4–1 win over Metz. The midfielder appeared as a substitute in the match and had not been on the field for no more than two minutes before netting the goal.[7] After appearing in a league match against Toulouse on 4 February, Payet was relegated back to the reserve team for the rest of the season.[8]

Ahead of the 2006–07 season, Payet signed a three-year professional contract with Nantes. He was officially promoted to the senior team and assigned the number 31 shirt by Le Dizet. After appearing as a substitute in the first two matches of the season, Payet made his first professional start on 9 September 2006 in a league match against Lille. In the match, he scored the equalizing goal in a 1–1 draw.[9] Two weeks later, Payet started again and scored the opening goal in a 2–1 win against Marseille.[10] Payet, subsequently, appeared as a starter for the rest of the campaign. He scored his only other goal during the season in a 1–1 draw with Sedan.[11] One dark spot during the campaign was a straight red card in an embarrassing 5–2 loss to Valenciennes.[12] Despite the successful individual season by Payet, Nantes ultimately finished the campaign in 19th place, which meant the club would play in Ligue 2 for the first time since 1963.

Saint-Étienne

Following Nantes' relegation, Payet's desire to remain in the first division led the player to issuing a transfer request. The player was, subsequently, linked with Sochaux and Saint-Étienne. Payet ultimately decided to sign with Les Verts stating the move to the club was a "straightforward logical answer" and that Saint-Étienne "can offer me the opportunity to play, which is a priority".[13] Payet ultimately succeeded in getting the move after agreeing to a four-year contract with the club ahead of the 2007–08 season. Nantes was compensated €4 million for the player.[5]

In his first season at Saint-Étienne, Payet struggled to assert himself into the team. He made his club debut on 4 August 2007 in a 1–1 draw with Monaco. Despite being a starter for the majority of the campaign, Payet scored no goals and also failed to provide any assists. In a reversal of fortune, despite Payet's sub-par season, Saint-Étienne finished in 5th place which meant qualification to the UEFA Cup. In the 2008–09 season, Payet return to the form that resulted in Saint-Étienne signing the player. Prior to the start of the season, he was given the honour of captaining Saint-Étienne in a friendly match against the Réunion national team in the player's return to the island.[14] Payet appeared in 30 league matches scoring four goals and supplying six assists in the season. He scored his first league goal for the club on 29 September 2008 in a 1–1 draw with Bordeaux netting the opener.[15] In December 2008, he scored the game-winning goal against his former club Le Havre.[16]

Payet featured in European competition for the first time after playing in the 2008–09 edition of the UEFA Cup. He made his debut in the competition on 18 September in the first leg of the team's first round tie against Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv. On his debut, he scored the opening goal in a 2–1 win.[17] In the group stage, Payet scored a goal in a 3–1 win over Danish club Copenhagen.[18] In the knockout rounds, Payet was instrumental to the team's 5–2 aggregate victory over Greek club Olympiakos. In the first leg, he assisted on a goal in a 3–1 win, while in the second leg, he netted the opener in 2–1 positive result.[19][20] Saint-Étienne were eliminated from the competition in the next round by German club Werder Bremen losing 3–2 on aggregate. Payet appeared as a substitute in both legs. Due to focusing its efforts on performing well in four competitions, Saint-Étienne finished one spot short of relegation in the league. On 22 July 2009, Payet signed a two-year contract extension with the club until 2013.[21]

In the 2009–10 season, Payet remained consistent appearing in 35 league matches scoring two goals and providing six assists. He also performed well in the cup competitions, particularly in the Coupe de France. On 24 January 2010, he scored a double in 4–1 victory over Lorient.[22] Two weeks later, he scored the winner against Vannes.[23] Saint-Étienne ultimately reached the quarter-finals losing the Lens. On 18 May 2010, Payet was involved in a physical altercation with teammate and captain Blaise Matuidi during the team's 1–0 defeat to Toulouse.[24] Midway through the first half, Payet received criticism from teammate Yohan Benalouane for displaying a lack of aggression. He was then confronted by Matuidi who echoed Benalouane's sentiments. Payet and Matuidi suddenly went face-to-face with the former player delivering a blow to Matuidi's head before the two were separated by referee Bruno Coue and teammates.[25] As a result of the incident, Payet was substituted out after 31 minutes and sanctioned by club president Roland Romeyer.[26] Payet apologized for the incident shortly after. On 6 October 2010, following both Payet and Matuidi's call up to the national team, Payet described the incident as "an argument that had no place" and that "the incident was explained and the two were on new ground". Matuidi described the altercation as a "lack of maturity" on both players part.[27]

After the summer, Payet put the past behind him and opened the 2010–11 season by scoring seven goals in the first two months of domestic play. On 7 August 2010, he scored in the team's opening 3–1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.[28] On 29 August 2010, Payet scored his first professional hat-trick in a 3–1 victory over Lens.[29] After the international break, he scored a double against Montpellier.[30] On 25 September, Payet delivered a perfect free-kick goal in the team's Derby du Rhône match against Lyon. The free-kick, described by local media as "superb and untouchable", was the only goal in the team's upset victory.[31][32] The win placed Saint-Étienne in 1st place for the week. For his performances, Payet was awarded the UNFP Player of the Month award for September. Due to his performances domestically and international, Payet drew interest from several clubs, notably English clubs Chelsea and Liverpool.[33][34] In January 2011, he was linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain as the Parisian club looked to immediately replace the departed Stéphane Sessègnon. Payet sought for the move, but Saint-Étienne refused. Ahead of the closure of the transfer window, a frustrated Payet failed to show up to training in an effort to force the transfer.[35] After returning to the team days later, Payet was demoted to the club's reserve team ahead of the team's league match against Montpellier on 5 February 2011.[36]

Lille

On 28 June 2011, Saint-Étienne manager Christophe Galtier confirmed that Payet was on the verge of signing with the defending league champions Lille after the player himself informed him the previous day.[37] Hours later, the move was confirmed by both Saint-Étienne and Lille.[38][39] Payet agreed to a four-year contract, while the transfer fee was priced at €9 million with future incentives to be included later.[40]

Olympique de Marseille

On June 27, 2013, the Olympique de Marseille official website announced that a transfer agreement had been sealed between LOSC Lille and Marseille in the region of €11 million, and that Payet would play for Marseille during the coming season. In Payet's debut for Marseille, he scored a brace within the first fifteen minutes of the game, helping his side to a 3-1 victory over newcomers Guingamp at the Stade du Roudourou on 11 August.[41]

International career

Payet playing for France in 2014.

Payet is a former French under-21 international. He made his debut for the team in February 2007 in a friendly match against Switzerland. In the match, Payet assisted on a goal scored by Jérémy Menez. In the team's ensuing match against Denmark, he scored a double in a 3–1 win. He was called up for the senior national team for the first time by Laurent Blanc for the Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Romania and Luxembourg. He made his debut against Romania on 9 October 2010, being substituted on for Karim Benzema at the 86th minute and assisted Yoann Gourcuff's goal to make it 2–0. Three days later, he came on for the last 30 minutes against Luxembourg and again assisted Gourcuff for a goal.

Club statistics

Club

(As of 22 April 2015)[42]

Club Season League Cup[nb 1] Europe[nb 2] Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Nantes 2005–06 310000000310
2006–07 30401000003140
Total 33501000003450
Saint-Étienne 2007–08 31020000003102
2008–09 304620010314277
2009–10 35266300004156
2010–11 3313310000034133
Total 129191793010311482518
Lille 2011–12 33685004004268
2012–13 381218613801521322
Total 71182511131201941930
Marseille 2013–14 36864015014588
2014–15 32617200---34617
Total 681423601501791425
Career total 3015665274427333417073

International

(Correct as of 14 October 2014)[43]
National teamSeasonAppsGoals Assists
France 2010–11302
2012–13300
2013-14500
2014-15200
Total1302

Individual Ligue 1 Team of the Year (1): 2012–13

Notes

  1. ↑ Includes Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophée des Champions
  2. ↑ Includes UEFA Supercup, FIFA Club World Cup

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Patience a virtue for Payet". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 6 October 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  2. ↑ "Dimitri Payet ou la fierté de Saint Philippe". Linfo (in French). 1 October 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Dimitri Payet réussit ses débuts en bleu face à la Roumanie". Les Verts (in French). 10 October 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  4. ↑ "FC Nantes Reserve Pro 2005/2006 Saison". Stat 2 Foot (in French). Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Dimitri Payet ou l'ascension verte". Le Monde (in French) (France). 27 September 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  6. ↑ "Bordeaux v. Nantes Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 17 December 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  7. ↑ "Metz v. Nantes Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 21 January 2006. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  8. ↑ "Metz v. Nantes Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 21 January 2006. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  9. ↑ "Nantes v. Lille Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 9 September 2006. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  10. ↑ "Nantes v. Marseille Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 24 September 2006. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  11. ↑ "Sedan v. Nantes Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 4 November 2006. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  12. ↑ "Nantes v. Valenciennes Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 10 February 2007. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  13. ↑ "Démenti + interview Dimitri Payet". Payet En Force (in French). 8 June 2007. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  14. ↑ "On en profite au maximum". Le Quotidien (in French). 21 May 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  15. ↑ "Bordeaux v. Saint-Étienne Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 29 September 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  16. ↑ "Saint-Étienne v. Le Havre Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 6 December 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  17. ↑ "H. Tel Aviv v. Saint-Étienne Match Report". Union of European Football Associations. 18 September 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  18. ↑ "Green energy means points for St-Etienne". Union of European Football Associations. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  19. ↑ "Olympiacos left green with envy by Les Verts". Union of European Football Associations. 18 February 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  20. ↑ "Odds shorten after Les Verts' long shots". Union of European Football Associations. 26 February 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  21. ↑ "Payet prolonge". Mercato365 (in French). 22 July 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  22. ↑ "Saint-Étienne v. Lorient Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 24 January 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  23. ↑ "Saint-Étienne v. Vannes Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 10 February 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  24. ↑ "Saint-Étienne v. Toulouse Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 8 May 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  25. ↑ "ASSE: "Il ne manquait plus que ça"". Le Progrès (in French). 10 May 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  26. ↑ "Payet va être sanctionné". Football365 (in French). 12 May 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  27. ↑ "Payet et Matuidi ont fait la paix". RMC Sport (in French). 6 October 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  28. ↑ "Paris Saint-Germain v. Saint-Étienne Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 7 August 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  29. ↑ "Saint-Étienne v. Lens Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 29 August 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  30. ↑ "Saint-Étienne v. Montpellier Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 18 September 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  31. ↑ "Dans le mille pour le centième". Le Progrès (in French). 26 September 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  32. ↑ "Lyon v. Saint-Étienne Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel (in French). 25 September 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  33. ↑ "Chelsea prepare deadline day swoop for Liverpool target Dimitri Payet". Daily Mail (UK). 31 January 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  34. ↑ "Liverpool target Dimitri Payet's contract talks with Saint-Etienne break down". Football.co.uk. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  35. ↑ "Payet will be forgiven". Sky Sports. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  36. ↑ "Payet dropped to Saint-Etienne reserves". Agence France Presse. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  37. ↑ "Payet completes move to Lille". Agence France Presse. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  38. ↑ "Dimitri Payet est Lillois pour les quatre prochaines saisons". Lille OSC (in French). 28 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  39. ↑ "Christophe Galtier fait le point". AS Saint-Étienne (in French). 28 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  40. ↑ "Ambitious Payet agrees four-year Lille deal". Union of European Football Associations. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  41. ↑ "Payet brace as Marseille beat Guingamp". ESPNFC. 11 August 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  42. ↑ "La fiche de Dimitri PAYET". Ligue de Football Professionnel. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  43. ↑ PAYET Dimitri, French Football Federation. Retrieved 5 February 2011

External links