William Gallas (Character)

William Gallas

CHARACTER» William Eric Gallas

A French former professional soccer player who played as a defender.

Character Images Related Pages

EditHistoryPage info

Senior career

1995–1997 Caen

1997–2001 Marseille

2001–2006 Chelsea

2006–2010 Arsenal

2010–2013 Tottenham Hotspur

2013–2014 Perth Glory

National team

2002–2010 France

Club career

Early career

William Gallas is a graduate of the French Football academy at . He started his professional career at second division helping them to promotion as champions in 1996. He was subsequently transferred to in 1997. Gallas spent four seasons at Marseille, playing alongside among others. He made his debut in the playing for Marseille, and he also played against in that competition in 2000.

Chelsea

Former Chelsea manager bought Gallas from Marseille in May 2001 for 6.2 million. He chose the number 13 shirt because it was his postcode back when he lived in . Under Ranieri, Gallas developed centre-back partnerships with and later with ; his partnership with Terry included a run of 16 games without conceding a single goalHe also played at right-back at times. It was with Chelsea and under Ranieri where Gallas obtained his first international cap.

Gallas was part of Chelsea's team which won back-to-back titles and a under Ranieri's successor . However due to a serious injury to left-back in 2004-05 Gallas was forced to play out of position. Despite the purchase of from for £8 million in the 2005 close season, Gallas found himself often playing on the left, a situation he got increasingly frustrated with. However Gallas scored some vital goals as Chelsea retained their title in the 2005-06 season at , and . Gallas called the goal against Tottenham, a 25-yard injury-time winner, his "greatest ever" on Chelsea TV.

Gallas's contract with Chelsea was due to expire in May 2007. He refused to sign a new contract with Chelsea on improved terms after saying the club didn't offer him enough money and expressed a wish to play in , with and both interested. 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 , 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 Gallas' number 13 shirt as a punishment for not turning up, an indication that his future at was in serious doubt. His reception at the club's membership day at was mixed, with sections of fans clapping him while some fans booed and other remained unmoved.

Despite reported links with several clubs around Europe, a move out of England looked unlikely. The scuppered any interest from or , and the only club to express an interest was . In an implied admission that Gallas would be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge, Chelsea signed defender .

On , , Gallas transferred to Arsenal as part of a deal that took 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 if he was not allowed to leave Chelsea. Gallas rejected Chelsea's claims and accused the West Londoners of lacking class and 'hiding behind false accusations'. Claudio Ranieri, the former Chelsea manager who signed Gallas from Marseille said of the allegations; "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." chief executive 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."

Subsequently, a year before joining , Gallas claimed that "things will no longer be easy for Arsenal, and that the future is ," in an with .

Arsenal

Gallas applauding supporters.

2006-07 season

Gallas signed a four-year contract with Arsenal, where he took the number 10 shirt vacated by the recently-retired . In an interview in the October 2006 issue of the Official Arsenal Magazine, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger explained the rather peculiar decision to hand him the squad number 10 (traditionally a forward's number):

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 on and scored his first goal against on , .

2007-08 season

Gallas was confirmed as Arsenal captain on , , with serving as vice-captain. His first competitive game as Arsenal captain was on against which ended in a 2-1 victory for Arsenal. Gallas suffered a groin injury in the game against Blackburn on , but returned to play for Arsenal in their 2-0 victory over on . In the traditional vs clash at the on , he scored a last minute goal to give the Gunners a draw.

On , Gallas scored against when crossed in and Gallas fired a header through the arms of Wigan's goalkeeper Pollitt to open the deadlock.

On , Gallas scored against his old club , which was to be the only goal in the match to secure 3 points for Arsenal. Gallas later reflected on his goal against former club Chelsea, claiming that "When Cesc sent the corner in for my goal, I saw come off his line and to be honest I was sure he would catch it. So I was surprised when he didn't take it, and it was just a reflex reaction to head it into the goal. I just happened to be there at the right time".

Gallas has come in for some criticism following his actions in a 2-2 draw against on 23 February 2008. After team-mate conceded a penalty in injury time at the end of the second half, Gallas walked into the Birmingham half, apparently in protest. He stood there as Birmingham striker converted the penalty. He then had to be restrained as he appeared to confront the crowd in fury. After the final whistle, Gallas sat down on the pitch for two minutes as the rest of the players left the field, before being consoled by manager .

Gallas also scored for Arsenal against Bolton in a 2-3 win on , starting the comeback which 10-man Arsenal ultimately completed.

Wenger said he would consider if Gallas will continue as Arsenal captain at the end of the season. It comes after the tantrum incident earlier in the season.

Coming after that news Wenger has in the recent press hinted strongly that he will continue as captain, abolishing the medias favorite Cesc Fabregas from taking over the armband.

International career

Gallas was a part of the France U-18 European Championship winning side. He also played for the France U-20 team in the .

He is now a regular member for , forming first-choice partnership with . He made his full France debut in a 5-0 demolition of in a qualifier on , , and was a member of the squad for the tournament's finals. He was in the winning side, and more recently he was a member of the squad that reached the final. Following the 2006 World Cup, he criticised the team for diving, saying that when the French faced them in the semi-finals they needed to look out for their unfair style of play.

Gallas won his 50th cap for France in the 3-1 win against on at the in a .

Honours

With Caen

Championship Winner 1995-96

With Chelsea

Winner 2004-05, 2005-06
2005
2005

With Arsenal

Runners-Up 2007

Games view all →]