Paul Merson is getting mocked for his Dimitri Payet comments

We're long past the time where English football pundits don't believe a player exists until he impresses in the Premier League.

Just kidding, it's as prevalent as it ever has been. Alan Shearer may have stepped up his game after his claim that "not a lot of people" knew much about Hatem Ben Arfa, but there are still plenty who come up with the sort of suggestions that the former Newcastle striker would throw on the rubbish pile these days. Step forward Paul Merson, who claimed this week that "If it wasn't for West Ham nobody would have ever heard of Payet".

Payet scored one of the goals of the season so far against Middlesbrough (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

"He owes West Ham, who took a big chance on him and got him out of French football. West Ham made him a superstar," Merson told Sky Sports. "He needs to make sure West Ham have a good season. Then, at the end of the season, he could get his move. "He looks like he's putting himself first rather above West Ham Football Club." That's the same Dimitri Payet who scored West Ham's goal of the season so far just two months ago. The same Dimitri Payet who - before last week's Manchester United double header - had created more chances this season than any other midfielder in the Premier League. The same Dimitri Payet who racked up 17 assists in his final Ligue 1 season before moving to London. You can probably guess how people responded. https://twitter.com/bahiemohamed/status/804712041143533573 https://twitter.com/ManCityArmy1894/status/804712395277004800 https://twitter.com/Shawsleftpeg/status/804712538155974656 https://twitter.com/Ousama_Sadik/status/804716953835335680 Catch up with this week's episode of Football Friday Live