THERE are very few players who can say they have played for Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, let alone been a success with all three clubs.
And such was this player’s success that he was given Dennis Bergkamp’s shirt number… despite being a defender.
Then again, his first goal for Marseille, against Man Utd, involved a run from the halfway line and a striker’s finish that would befit the legendary Dutchman.
None of that, however, would prevent him from putting in a performance for the ages to help Spurs to a first ever win at the Emirates.
The France international recounted how he was told by Marcel Desailly to keep an eye on John Terry, as “he will be the future captain of England”.
But through hard work and versatility, he was able to keep his place in the Chelsea line-up both before and after the arrival of Roman Abramovich.
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A stalwart under Jose Mourinho as Chelsea won the 2005 and 2006 Premier League titles without ever losing a home game, he was suddenly accused of threatening to score an own goal in order to leave Stamford Bridge.
You may now have worked out which player we are referring to.
In an interview with FourFourTwo in 2017, William Gallas angrily rejected the suggestion.
He said: “I never said I would score an own goal. How can you say that?! I think it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.
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“Maybe at this time the people at the club tried to find a way to blame me for what was happening, because all of the supporters wanted me to stay.”
Gallas claims he knew it was time to leave Stamford Bridge when his favoured number 13 shirt was given to Michael Ballack.
He was then sold to Arsenal as a makeweight for Ashley Cole in a deal worth an additional £5m to the Gunners.
But he would not wear the number 13 at the Emirates either as the number was already held by Alexander Hleb.
Most fans assumed he would take Cole’s number 3 shirt at Arsenal, but instead he opted for the number 10 of Bergkamp.
He said of the decision: “I saw it as a great opportunity as I’d already worn the same number earlier in my career, and my daughter had been born on November 10.
“If a young player is given the No.10 shirt, it’ll be far too much pressure on his shoulders. But to me, it didn’t make any difference at all.”
In 2007, Gallas was handed the captaincy, surprisingly edging out more experienced Arsenal stalwarts such as Gilberto Silva and Kolo Toure.
He would then be stripped of the armband 18 months later after an interview questioning the team’s mentality, which he says was taken out of context.
After his release in 2010, Gallas joined Tottenham at the age of 33.
And in his first North London derby with Spurs he helped them to a 3-2 win at his old stomping ground, the Emirates.
Redknapp even made Gallas the Tottenham captain that day, to “make the game more electric”.
But which club is the Frenchman’s favourite today?
Despite leaving on pretty acrimonious terms, Gallas said: “I liked all three, but maybe Chelsea was the most special time for me.
“It was my first club abroad and I had a great time there, winning a few trophies as well.
“And it was there that I first started my international career as well. When you are playing for a big club you expect to lift trophies.
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“When I won the Premier League with Chelsea I felt like the King of England [Laughs].
“You want to keep experiencing that joy again and again.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
