William Gallas

William Gallas
William Gallas & Cesc Fabregas.jpg
Gallas (left) playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2010
Personal information
Full name William Eric Gallas[1]
Date of birth (1977-08-17) 17 August 1977 (age 35)[2]
Place of birth Asnières-sur-Seine, France
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[3]
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current club Tottenham Hotspur
Number 13
Youth career
1987–1992 AVG Football
1992–1993 RCF Paris
1992–1994 INF Clairefontaine
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1995–1997 Caen 34 (0)
1997–2001 Marseille 84 (2)
2001–2006 Chelsea 159 (13)
2006–2010 Arsenal 101 (12)
2010– Tottenham Hotspur 61 (1)
National team‡
1997 France U20 3 (0)
1997–1998 France U21 11 (0)
2002–2010 France 84 (5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:10, 7 March 2013 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22 June 2010

William Eric Gallas (French pronunciation: ​[wiljam ɡalas]; born 17 August 1977) is a French footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur. Gallas began his career in France, before being signed by English club Chelsea in 2001. He transferred to rivals Arsenal as part of an exchange deal in 2006. While his career has been marked by both individual and team successes – including Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 – he has also encountered controversy as a consequence of his on-field behaviour and friction with other personnel. In 2007, he was named Arsenal's captain, but was removed from the role during the 2008–09 season after criticising teammates in a media interview. Gallas left Arsenal at the end of the 2009–10 season, when his contract expired.

Background

Gallas was born in Asnières-sur-Seine. He is the cousin of the deceased former footballer Ludovic Quistin[4] and of Mathieu Bastareaud, a French rugby union centre playing for RC Toulonnais.[5]

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Club career

Early career

A graduate of the French Football academy at Clairefontaine, Gallas started his professional career at second division SM Caen, helping them to promotion as champions in 1996. He was subsequently transferred to Olympique Marseille in 1997. Gallas spent four seasons at Marseille, where he played alongside Robert Pirès among others. He made his debut in the UEFA Champions League playing for Marseille, and he also played against Chelsea in that competition in 2000.

Caen

1995–1997, Gallas was sent to Caen which was to be the start of his career in football.

Chelsea

The then Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri bought Gallas from Marseille in May 2001 for £6.2 million.[6][7] He chose the number 13 shirt because it was his postcode back where he lived in Marseille. Under Ranieri, Gallas developed centre-back partnerships with Marcel Desailly and later with John Terry; his partnership with Terry included a run of 16 games without conceding a single goal. He also played as a 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 Premier League titles and a League Cup under Ranieri's successor José Mourinho. The Blues also made the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League that year, but were knocked out by Liverpool 1–0 in controversial circumstances. Gallas cleared the ball, after it was adjuged to have crossed the line. Due to a serious injury to left-back Wayne Bridge in 2004–05 Gallas was forced to play out of position. Despite the purchase of Asier del Horno from Athletic Bilbao 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 at Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United as Chelsea retained their title in the 2005–06 in English football season

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 did not offer him enough money and expressed a wish to play in Serie A, with Juventus and A.C. Milan both interested.[citation needed] 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 2006 FIFA World Cup, Gallas refused to turn up at Chelsea's crowded ranks of defenders at Stamford Bridge, so Chelsea signed Dutch international centre back Khalid Boulahrouz, though in his single season at Chelsea, Boulahrouz would play almost exclusively as a fullback.

On 1 September 2006, Gallas transferred to Arsenal as part of a deal that brought Ashley Cole to Chelsea[8] and Arsenal also received the sum of £5 million. After the transfer, Chelsea issued a statement that Gallas threatened to deliberately score own goals if he was not allowed to leave Chelsea.[9] Gallas rejected Chelsea's claim and accused the West Londoners of "lack[ing] class" and "hiding behind false accusations."[10] 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." Among the Chelsea faithful, Gallas's departure turned him almost instantly from a hero into an object of hatred. PFA 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."

Arsenal

2006–07 season

Gallas applauding supporters.

Gallas signed a four-year contract with Arsenal, where he took the number 10 shirt vacated by the recently-retired Dennis Bergkamp. In an October 2006 interview with the official team magazine, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger explained his decision to hand him the squad number 10 (traditionally a forward's or a midfielder'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."[11]

Gallas made his full debut for the Gunners at left-back in the team's 1–1 home draw against Middlesbrough on 9 September 2006 and scored his first goal against Sheffield United on 23 September 2006.

2007–08 season

Gallas was confirmed as Arsenal captain on 9 August 2007, with Kolo Touré, serving as vice-captain. This caused some controversy as Gilberto Silva was expected to receive the captain's arm band. Many people have questioned Wenger for this decision. His first competitive game as Arsenal captain was on 12 August 2007 against Fulham, which ended in a 2–1 victory for Arsenal.[12] Gallas suffered a groin injury in the game against Blackburn on 19 August, but returned to play for Arsenal in their 2–0 victory over Bolton Wanderers on 20 October. In the traditional Arsenal vs Manchester United clash at the Emirates Stadium on 3 November, he scored a last minute goal to give the Gunners a draw.

On 24 November 2007, Gallas scored against Wigan when Bacary Sagna crossed in and Gallas headed past Wigan goalkeeper Mike Pollitt.

On 16 December 2007 Gallas scored against his old club Chelsea, 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 Petr Čech 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".[13][verification needed]

Gallas attracted some criticism as a result of his actions in a 2–2 draw against Birmingham City on 23 February 2008—a game in which his teammate Eduardo da Silva had his leg broken following a challenge by Martin Taylor. When Gaël Clichy of Arsenal 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 James McFadden 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 as the rest of the players left the field before being consoled by manager Arsène Wenger.

Gallas also scored for Arsenal against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium in a 2–3 win on 29 March 2008, starting the comeback which 10-man Arsenal ultimately completed.

Amid speculation that Gallas would be replaced as club captain following his behaviour during the Birmingham City game, Wenger said that he would consider the matter at the end of the season.[14]

2008–09 season

In August 2008, it was announced that Gallas would remain the club's captain for the 2008–2009 season.[15] In the 2008–09 season, Gallas proved especially prolific in the Champions League. He scored 6 goals in Arsenal's campaign, including two against FC Twente and an equaliser against Dynamo Kiev as well as a header against Spurs.

On 29 October 2008, he scored his first league goal of the season against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, scoring Arsenal's second goal in an incredible 4–4 draw.

On 8 November 2008, in a 2–1 victory over Manchester United, he received praise for his display whilst playing alongside former United defender Mikaël Silvestre. It was claimed he outshone United defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić.[16]

In November, Gallas gave an interview to the Associated Press in which he revealed tensions within the squad which were disruptive to team morale, and suggested that Arsenal's younger players needed to show more courage if they were to be successful.[17][18] He was dropped from the squad for the next match, against Manchester City, and was reported to have been fined two weeks' wages.[19] Reports that he had been stripped of the captaincy permanently[20] were confirmed by Arsenal on 24 November; he was succeeded by Cesc Fàbregas. Wenger confirmed that Gallas still had a future with the club, contrary to media speculation, and Gallas played in the following day's Champions League match.[21][22]

On 17 March 2009, Gallas scored the winner in a 2–1 win against Hull City in the quarter finals of the FA Cup.

On 10 April 2009, it was confirmed that Gallas would miss the remainder of the season after damaging the medial ligament in his right knee during the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg tie against Villarreal CF. The match finished 1–1 with Gallas only lasting 43 minutes of the first half.

2009–10 season

Despite enduring a below-par season, William Gallas started the 2009–10 campaign in fine form, scoring 3 goals in his first 3 games. He formed a partnership with Belgian centre back Thomas Vermaelen,[23] Arsenal's only major summer signing, and the pair scored 7 goals between them in their first eight league games. On 22 August, in the first home game of the season, he scored a bizarre goal against Portsmouth; Vermaelen had attempted to score a slide-in from a corner kick but Gallas accidentally flicked the ball onto his face and it bounced into the net.[24]

On 17 February, Gallas started his 100th league game for Arsenal in the 2–0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Gallas suffered an injury hit second half of the season and did not play for over two months, he was surprisingly included in the starting line up against FC Barcelona only to get stretchered off before halftime with a recurrence of the injury, It proved to be his last game for Arsenal. After talks over a new contract failed Gallas left the club over the summer as a free agent having made a total of 142 appearances and scoring 17 goals for the club.

On 28 April, Arsène Wenger announced that talks about Gallas' future will only go until end of May and that if an agreement was not reached by then, he would most likely leave the club.[25] Public statements made by Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood suggested that the club felt that the contractual demands made by Gallas were unreasonable and not made in good faith.[26] It was reported that such demands included an £80,000 a week pay cheque over a two-year period.

Tottenham Hotspur

2010–11 season

On 20 August 2010 Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp confirmed that William Gallas was set to join the club and described the move as a "no-brainer".[27] The transfer was confirmed on 22 August, with Gallas signing a one-year contract at White Hart Lane.[28] According to Tottenham's club historian, the move meant that Gallas would become the first player to have appeared for Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham (Clive Allen played for Tottenham and Chelsea and had a spell with Arsenal early in his career, but did not make an appearance for them).[29] After training with his new team for the first time, Gallas stated that he believed that Spurs have the potential to win the Premier League.[30]

Gallas made his Spurs first-team debut on 11 September in a 1–1 draw away at West Bromwich Albion.[31] On 20 November, as a result of injuries to regular captains Ledley King and Michael Dawson, Gallas captained Tottenham for the first time against his former club Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in a famous 3–2 Tottenham victory, Spurs' first league victory at Arsenal since 1993. On 2 February 2011, Gallas partnered Sébastien Bassong at the back against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in their 1–0 midweek victory.[32] Gallas continued to impress for Tottenham into 2011; in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages he put in two commanding performances against A.C. Milan to set up a quarter-final tie against Real Madrid in the club's first attempt in the competition.

Despite a season of frequent changes in defence for Tottenham due to a host of injuries to his fellow defenders, Gallas performed strongly throughout his first season with the club and was rewarded with a two-year contract extension in March 2011, which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2012–13 season.

In his debut season at Tottenham, he made 36 appearances in all competitions.[33]

Seasons 2011-12 & 2012-13

On season 2011-12 in Premier League, Gallas suffered for some injuries and had less playing time, then in the season 2010-11. Gallas only played a total of 19 caps for Tottenham in the whole season. He had competition for his centre back's spot with Michael Dawson and Ledley King. In the following season, 2012-13 Gallas played a total of 17 games for Tottenham in the Premier League. Gallas scored in season 2012-13, his first goal for Tottenham and also his first goal in over two years.

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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 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship along with fellow Frenchmen Willy Sagnol and Thierry Henry.

He is now a regular member for France, having formed Raymond Domenech's first-choice centre-back partnership with Lilian Thuram during the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2008. He made his full France debut in a 5–0 victory over Slovenia in a Euro 2004 qualifier on 12 October 2002, and was a member of the squad for the tournament's finals. He was in the 2003 Confederations Cup winning side, and more recently he was a member of the squad that reached the 2006 World Cup final. Following the World Cup, he criticised the Portugal 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.[34]

Gallas won his 50th cap for France in the 3–1 win against Italy on 6 September 2006 at the Stade de France in a Euro 2008 qualifying match.

Gallas is still eligible to represent Guadeloupe internationally as well, as they are not FIFA-affiliated. His cousin, Ludovic Quistin, has represented Guadeloupe.[4]

On 10 October 2009, he scored for France against Faroe in the 53rd minute.

On 18 November 2009, he scored a goal against the Republic of Ireland in extra time of a World Cup playoff. The goal made the score 1–1, and 2–1 to France on aggregate. This meant that France qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The goal was controversial as it was scored after his teammate, Thierry Henry handled the ball twice.[35]

On 30 May 2010, he scored the equaliser against Tunisia in the 63rd minute in a friendly match.

On 6 June 2011, aged 33 and with 84 caps to his name and 5 goals he announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect after he was again ignored by France coach Laurent Blanc.

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 17 August 2005 Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, France  Ivory Coast 1 – 0 3–0 Friendly
2 16 August 2006 Kosevo Stadium, Sarajevo, Bosnia  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 – 1 1–2 Friendly
3 10 October 2009 Stade du Roudourou, Guingamp, France  Faroe Islands 3 – 0 5–0 2010 World Cup qualification
4 18 November 2009 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  Republic of Ireland 1 – 1 1–1 2010 World Cup qualification
5 30 May 2010 Stade 7 Novembre, Radès, Tunisia  Tunisia 1 – 1 1–1 Friendly
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Career statistics

Club

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
France League Coupe de France Coupe de la Ligue Europe Total
1995–96 Caen Ligue 2 16 0 - 16 0
1996–97 Ligue 1 18 0 - 18 0
1997–98 Marseille 3 0 - 3 0
1998–99 30 0 9 0 39 0
1999–2000 22 0 7 1 29 1
2000–01 29 2 - 29 2
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
2001–02 Chelsea Premier League 30 1 4 1 4 0 3 0 41 2
2002–03 38 4 5 0 3 0 2 0 48 4
2003–04 29 1 4 0 1 0 11 1 45 1
2004–05 28 2 1 0 5 0 12 0 46 2
2005–06 34 5 3 0 0 0 7 0 44 5
2006–07 Arsenal 21 3 2 0 0 0 6 0 29 3
2007–08 31 4 2 0 1 0 8 0 42 4
2008–09 23 2 4 1 0 0 9 3 36 6
2009–10 26 3 1 0 0 0 6 0 33 3
2010–11 Tottenham Hotspur 27 0 1 0 0 0 8 0 36 0
2011–12 15 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 19 0
2012–13 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 1
Country France 118 2 16 1 134 3
England 319 26 28 2 14 0 74 4 436 31
Total 437 28 28 2 14 0 90 5 570 34

International

[36]

France national team
Year Apps Goals
2002 3 0
2003 8 0
2004 15 0
2005 11 1
2006 15 1
2007 7 0
2008 10 0
2009 9 2
2010 6 1
Total 84 5
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Honours

Caen

Chelsea

International

Individual

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References

  1. ^ "List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. Retrieved 8 November 2010. 
  2. ^ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 226. ISBN 1-85291-665-6. 
  3. ^ "Player Profile". FIFA.com. Retrieved 12 May 2013. 
  4. ^ a b "International call-up for Seagull signing". This is Somerset. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2010. 
  5. ^ Gallagher, Brendan (26 February 2009). "France expand arsenal with William Gallas's cousin Mathieu Bastareaud". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 August 2010. 
  6. ^ "Poyet heads for Chelsea exit". BBC Sport. 21 May 2001. Retrieved 23 March 2012. 
  7. ^ "Gallas goes to Chelsea in £6.2m deal". The Guardian. 21 May 2001. Retrieved 23 March 2012. 
  8. ^ Bond, David (2 September 2006). "Cole moved after deadline". The Daily Telegraph (UK). Retrieved 5 September 2006. 
  9. ^ "Gallas 'issued own-goal threat'". BBC Sport. 5 September 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2006. 
  10. ^ "Gallas denies Chelsea claims". Sky Sports. 5 September 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2006. 
  11. ^ "Robin van Persie ‘to transfer Arsenal squad shirt number’ for new season". Metro.co.uk. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2013. 
  12. ^ "Gallas named captain as Wenger looks to older heads". Arsenal.com. 9 August 2007. Archived from the original on 15 September 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007. 
  13. ^ Arsenal matchday programme before Tottenham Hotspur game, December 2007
  14. ^ "Wenger to consider Gallas captaincy". BBC Sport. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2008. 
  15. ^ "Wenger – Why William Gallas will be captain". 8 August 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2008. [dead link]
  16. ^ "Goal.com-Player Ratings: Arsenal 2–1 Manchester United". 8 November 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2008. 
  17. ^ "Gallas launches Arsenal outburst". BBC Sport. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2008. 
  18. ^ "Gallas urges Arsenal's young stars to fight harder". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 20 November 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2008. 
  19. ^ Solhekol, Kaveh (22 November 2008). "William Gallas heads for Emirates exit". The Times (UK). Retrieved 24 November 2008. 
  20. ^ "Gallas 'stripped' of captain role". BBC Sport. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2008. 
  21. ^ Clarke, Richard (24 November 2008). "Fabregas named as new Arsenal captain". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 24 November 2008. 
  22. ^ "Arsenal name Fabregas as captain". BBC Sport. 24 November 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2008. 
  23. ^ "Arsenal should be ahead of the rest, says bullish Arsène Wenger". London: The Guardian. 5 November 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2009. 
  24. ^ Premier League Arsenal 4–1 Portsmouth
  25. ^ "Wenger – If Gallas leaves we'll sign a defender". Arsenal F.C. 29 April 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2010. 
  26. ^ "William Gallas won't hold Arsenal to ransom! Gunners chairman blasts defender's £80k-a-week wage demands". The Daily Mail. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010. 
  27. ^ Riach, James (20 August 2010). "Redknapp confirms Gallas deal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 August 2010. 
  28. ^ "Gallas deal agreed". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 22 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010. 
  29. ^ "Gallas agrees landmark Spurs move". FourFourTwo. Reuters. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010. 
  30. ^ "Spurs can win the Premier League, says William Gallas". BBC Sport. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010. 
  31. ^ Lillywhite, Jamie (11 September 2010). "West Brom 1–1 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 September 2010. 
  32. ^ McGrath, Mike (20 November 2010). "Redknapp wants Spurs to push into title race". Agence France-Press. 
  33. ^ "New Deal for Gallas". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 28 March 2011. 
  34. ^ "William Gallas warns France to watch out for Portugal". 5 July 2006. Retrieved 7 September 2006. 
  35. ^ Jackson, Lyle (18 November 2009). "France 1–1 Rep of Ire (agg 2–1)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 August 2010. 
  36. ^ http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=2490
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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: William Gallas
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Thierry Henry		 Arsenal F.C. captain
2006–2008		 Succeeded by
Cesc Fàbregas
Tottenham Hotspur F.C. – current squad
Authority control
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Last modified on 12 May 2013, at 07:20