William Gallas Biography
William Gallas, (born 17 August 1977 in Asnières-sur-Seine), is a French International footballer of Guadeloupian descent who currently plays for Arsenal in the English Premier League. He is a defender who prefers to play in the centre, but he can also play at full-back on either side of the pitch.Gallas's contract was due to expire in May 2007. He refused to sign a new contract with Chelsea on improved terms and expressed a wish to play in Italy, with Juventus and AC Milan both interested[1]. Chelsea however did not agree to a transfer request by the player in May 2006 as they considered Gallas an important first team member.
After the World Cup, Gallas refused to turn up at Chelsea's pre-season American tour, citing tiredness after the tournament. Upon assigning squad numbers the club gave new arrival Michael Ballack Gallas' number 13 shirt, an indication that his future at Stamford Bridge was in serious doubt. Nonetheless, he was given a warm reception by the fans at the club's membership day at Stamford Bridge.
With the scandal affecting Italian football, a move to Europe looked impossible; not only were the major Italian clubs such as Juventus given significant penalties, a number of players moved to other European clubs such as Real Madrid. The only club to express an interest was Arsenal. In an implied admission that Gallas would be able to force himself out of Stamford Bridge Chelsea signed Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz.
On 1 September 2006, Gallas transferred to Arsenal as part of a deal that took Ashley Cole to Chelsea and Arsenal also received the sum of £5 million. The press reported that José Mourinho was furious Gallas had been allowed to move to their rivals and that the Cole/Gallas swap deal had been forced through by Chelsea executive Peter Kenyon. After the transfer Chelsea issued a statement that Gallas threatened to deliberately score an own goal, get sent off or make deliberate mistakes if he was selected for Chelsea's opening match against Manchester City[5].
William Gallas rejected Chelsea's claims and accused the West Londoners lacking of class and 'hiding behind false accusations'.
Claudio Ranieri, the former Chelsea manager who signed Gallas from Marseilles said of the allegations that, "I cannot believe these stories. It is absolutely incredible. I signed William and he was always a good professional on the pitch. Of course, I don't know what has happened in the last two years.
Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor declared that the whole episode has left a "bad taste in the mouth" and that Chelsea's statement should be taken "with a large pinch of salt."
Gallas signed a 4 year contract with Arsenal, where he will be wearing the number 10 shirt vacated by the recently retired Dennis Bergkamp.In an interview with the October 2006 issue of the Official Arsenal Magezine, Arsenal maneger Arsene Wenger explained the rather parculiar decision:
'Number three was uncomfortable for him and I had given the rest of the numbers out. In the end I thought it might be a good idea to give the number ten to a defender, because a striker would suffer a lot with the comparison with Dennis.At first I was reluctant to give Dennis's number out, and especially to a defender, but overall I think it's better that way.'
Gallas made his full debut for The Gunners at left-back in the 1-1 home draw against Middlesbrough on 9 September 2006 and scored his first goal against Sheffield United on 23 September 2006. William Gallas is seen to be amongst the top 'two or three' defenders in world football by club and international team-mate, Thierry Henry.