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Slaven Bilic sent Dimitri Payet a text ahead of his Euro 16 debut for France telling him he'll be the best player at the tournament.

And Bilic, who is acting as a pundit for ITV during their coverage of the championships also stated how proud he was to boast Friday's night's match-winner in his squad.

"Before France played Romania on Friday night, I texted Dimitri Payet to wish him all the best," he said. ""The text read: 'Enjoy it, you have nothing to prove, you are the best player there.'

"I wasn't wrong, was I? He was fantastic, not only with his late match-winning goal but overall. France were playing everything through him. And he got his chance because of his brilliant season at West Ham.

"We are proud he is at our club. Some will say it is a double-edged sword for West Ham, and myself and that if Dimitri continues to play like that, there will be other big clubs circling.

"I don't think about that though. We are so proud to have him and apart from Luka Modric, or someone else from the Croatia team, I would like nothing better than if he was the player of the tournament.

"After that, what happens, happens but we know he is happy at West Ham."



Bilic, who also revealed he tried to sign Payet whilst manager of Besiktas, his previous club, refused to take the credit for Payet's rapid emergence ontot the world stage,

"Since he came to our club he has improved again," he added. "He has matured, he has been consistent. Yes, my staff and I at West Ham have helped him but mainly he's done it himself.

"It was easy because his team-mates at West Ham recognised he was that special player. They also saw he was humble, he didn't want special treatment and he was happy to be there. He was also prepared to do the 'dirty' work to the level of his capabilities.

"I don't think that his performances will encourage a club bigger than us to try and get him — I just enjoy his football and I am glad for him."

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