Carlton Palmer has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Said Benrahma needs time to adapt to the Premier League but has challenged the winger to kick on this season.

Benrahma joined on loan from Brentford last October before signing permanently in January to allow space for Jesse Lingard to come in on loan for the rest of the campaign.

However, despite being arguably the standout player in the Championship the previous season when Brentford were beaten play-off finalists, the Algerian scored just once and provided six more assists in 33 Hammers outings last season.

Several of those 30 appearances were from the bench, though, with the January arrival of Lingard seeing Benrahma drop to the bench for much of the second half.

But Benrahma found some confidence towards the end of the season, netting his first goal against Brighton, part of three goal contributions in a five-match spell.

Benrahma has clearly taken that newfound confidence into the new campaign after scoring one and assisting another in West Ham's opening day victory at Newcastle on Sunday.

And Palmer told The Transfer Tavern that now is his time to prove his worth:

"You've got to give the kid the opportunity and time. He's come up a level, the Premier League is a different animal. He's had a little look at it now, and if he can get off to a good start who knows what happens.

"You'd like to think he can make the step up for the money they paid for him, but only time will tell."