Sunderland supporters have voiced strong disapproval regarding the potential transfer of club captain Granit Xhaka to Chelsea. The outrage stems from reports of Chelsea's interest in the midfielder, which surfaced just weeks after Xhaka delivered a passionate speech to fans at the Stadium of Light.
In his address five weeks prior, Xhaka spoke about the team's recent success and his commitment to the club. "These people, what they did with this team, these players, staff, everyone including the club is f***ing incredible," he told supporters. "Massive thank you as well to you guys, without your support home and away this isn't possible. I can promise you from my side like a captain of this football club, this is just the beginning and we will want more."
Despite Sunderland's insistence that Xhaka is not for sale and that no club-to-club contact has occurred, the prospect of his departure has ignited a hostile reaction online among fans. Many feel betrayed by his reported willingness to entertain a move, particularly to a club like Chelsea.
"Doesn’t even matter if the deal falls through imo, the fact he’s willing to ‘accept any conditions’ to get his move is scummy as f***, he can do one," one fan wrote, reflecting a common sentiment. Another expressed deeper disappointment, stating, "The Granit Xhaka transfer has annoyed me more than any other I think. He’s genuinely still a top class player and if he moved on to a bigger club due to location, wages etc Thats fine - it happens. But… it’s the utter bull**** he’s fed the fans. Wanting to play for a working class club, with working class fans, to join a commercialised heap of s*** team in the biggest commercialised heap of s*** city."
Fans also debated potential fan reactions should the transfer proceed, with one suggesting playing Xhaka's own end-of-season speech on the stadium screens before a match against Chelsea.
Xhaka, who joined Sunderland for £13 million last summer and was instrumental in keeping the club in the Premier League, is currently representing Switzerland at the World Cup. He is under contract until 2028, but reports suggest he is keen to reunite with former Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso at Chelsea and be part of a new project.
Chelsea's reported interest in the 34-year-old midfielder was noted, with the club likely seeking a modest fee given his age. Cole Palmer, a Chelsea player, reportedly 'liked' an Instagram post about the transfer news. The article also mentions other transfer activities at Chelsea, including the medical for Marco Palestra and ongoing interest in Trevoh Chalobah and Maxence Lacroix.