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In a week where terrace culture and social media have collided, West Ham United fans have gone viral for a “brutal” chant aimed at Sunderland’s veteran leader, Granit Xhaka. Following the Hammers’ 3-1 victory over the Black Cats on January 24, 2026, footage surfaced of the East End faithful relentlessly mocking the midfielder’s disciplinary record and his age.
​The chant, which quickly racked up millions of views on TikTok, features the refrain:
​“He’s old, he’s slow, he’s got nowhere to go—Xhaka’s getting a red for the show!”
​The song reportedly dominated the atmosphere at the London Stadium, especially after Xhaka was forced off with a suspected injury early in the match—a moment West Ham fans met with a deafening, sarcastic rendition of the viral hit.
​Despite the biting nature of the lyrics, Xhaka remained typically stoic when addressing the noise. In a post-match statement, the 33-year-old midfielder dismissed the “banter” with a touch of veteran class:
​”I’ve played in derbies all over Europe; if the fans are singing about you, it means you’re still in their heads,” Xhaka remarked. “It’s part of the English game. My only disappointment today is the result and the knock I took, not a song from the stands.”
​While some pundits have questioned if the chant “crossed a line” given Xhaka’s injury, the West Ham faithful seem to have found their new favorite anthem for the 2026 season.
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