Dimitri Payet’s chaotic situation under Slaven Bilic at West Ham draws similarities to a certain wantaway Croat 20 years ago

SLAVEN BILIC may be more sympathetic towards striking star Dimitri Payet than most West Ham fans - as he found himself in a similar situation 20 years ago.

Payet has told the club he will no longer play for them as he attempts to force through a move back to Marseille.

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The France international even threatened to FAKE an injury to stop playing if he was not allowed to leave.

He said: "He’s our best player and that’s why we gave him a long contract. We gave him everything, we were always there for him. I expect him to show commitment."

But back in 1997, then-West Ham boss Harry Redknapp faced a similar situation with a 28-year-old Bilic.

The Croat spent one season at Upton Park before he tried to force through his OWN move to Everton.

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Redknapp said in March 1997: "He’s on a fantastic contract, the highest paid player in the club’s history. He signed it . . . Now he wants a move and feels Everton are a big club, so there’s nothing we can do. West Ham are a big club in our eyes, but he feels otherwise."

The Hammers sold Bilic for £4.5million to the Toffees that summer.

Bilic said at the time: "I had to do this. We are professionals – all players know, if anyone gets the chance of a big club, he must take it."

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While there are similarities between the two situations, Bilic never refused to play for West Ham.

Payet's ultimatum has been met with some expected anger by Hammers fans.

A security guard was placed outside a mural of the midfielder at the London Stadium in order to ward off vandals before yesterday's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.

And an X-rated song about West Ham's hero last season was even made up before the clash.