“‘WE THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!’ 😂⚒️ — WEST HAM FANS WELCOME BACK FORGOTTEN STAR AFTER TWO-YEAR DISAPPEARANCE Maxwel Cornet finally made his first appearance for West Ham in two years during a pre-season friendly against Stevenage—and the travelling Hammers fans wasted no time reminding him just how long he’d been away. As the winger came off the bench, supporters hilariously burst into a chant of “We thought you were dead!”, leaving social media in stitches.

WEST HAM fans have come up with a brilliant chant for a forgotten star after he finally made an appearance after a TWO-YEAR absence.

The Hammers are preparing for their first season in the Championship in over a decade as they take part in a series of pre-season friendlies.

A soccer player standing by the corner flag, with bright red lights behind him.
West Ham fans had a hilarious chant ready for Maxwel Cornet

But their warm-up match against EFL outfit Stevenage at their Lamex Stadium saw an unexpected face among the stars involved.

Ivorian winger Maxwel Cornet replaced captain Jarrod Bowen off the bench at half-time, shocking some fans who had virtually forgotten about him after years away.

The former Burnley man joined the East London outfit in 2022, but failed to nail down a starting spot in his first season at the London Stadium.

He was loaned out to Southampton for the 2024/25 season, and Italian side Genoa the following year.

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Now he is finally back, and fans showed their appreciation for him and their wit as they came up with a new song for the 29-year-old.

They sang in the away end: “We thought you were dead, we thought you were dead.

“Maxwel Cornet, we thought you were dead.”

Fans of other clubs were equally surprised when they saw the viral video of the chant.

Maxwell Cornet of West Ham United during the Pre-season Friendly match between Stevenage and West Ham United at the Lamex Stadium, Stevenage on Wednesday 22nd July 2026. (Photo: Kevin Hodgson | MI News) Credit: MI News & Sport /Alamy Live News
The star has been out on loan for the past two seasonsCredit: Alamy

One wrote: “HE STILL PLAYS FOR THEM???”

Another one added: “Cornet still play for West Ham in 2026? That’s a ridiculous one.”

Cornet will be hoping this year is finally his chance to shine in claret and blue.

The drop down to the Championship could help him find his feet, and he may well be called upon if the club don’t strengthen in his position following the imminent departure of Crysencio Summerville.

The Dutchman agreed a £60million move to Saudi side Al Hilal earlier this week, where he is set to earn more than £1000-per-hour on his monster contract.

Now the left wing is wide open for the Hammers, with Cornet currently the most senior option there at the club, and likely to play a significant role off the bench even if Nuno Espirito Santo does replace Summerville in the market.

SOURCE: THESUN