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.

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.

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.”

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.