William Gallas

William Gallas

Gallas (left) playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2010
Personal information
Full name William Éric Gallas[1]
Date of birth (1977-08-17) 17 August 1977[2]
Place of birth Asnières-sur-Seine, France
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[3]
Playing position Centre back
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)
2010–2013 Tottenham Hotspur 61 (1)
2013–2014 Perth Glory 15 (1)
Total 453 (29)
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 16 March 2014.

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

William Éric Gallas (French pronunciation: [wiljam ɡalas]; born 17 August 1977) is a retired French footballer who played as a defender. He played most of his footballing career in France and England before finishing his career in Australia with A-League club Perth Glory. 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. He then signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 2010.

While his career has been successful, including Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, Gallas has also had controversy due to 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. He left Arsenal at the end of the 2009–10 season, when his contract expired, later signing for rivals Tottenham. He was released at the end of the 2012–13 season when his contract expired. He retired from professional football on 16 October 2014.

Background

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

Club career

Early career

A graduate of the French football academy Clairefontaine, Gallas started his professional career at second division Caen, helping them to promotion as champions in 1996. He subsequently transferred to Marseille in 1997, where he played for four seasons. He made his debut in the UEFA Champions League for Marseille, scoring his first goal in European competition in a 1–0 defeat of then European champions Manchester United at the Stade Vélodrome in October 2000.[6]

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri bought Gallas from Marseille in 2001 for £6.2 million.[7][8] 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 goal. He also played as a right-back at times. It was with Chelsea and under Ranieri where Gallas obtained his first international cap for France.

Gallas was part of the Chelsea squad 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, and 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 grew increasingly frustrated with, although it did showcase his versatility, being able to play anywhere in the backline.[9][10] Gallas scored some vital goals at Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United as Chelsea retained their title in the 2005–06 Premier League season

Gallas' 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 the Italian Serie A, with Juventus and Milan both interested.[11] 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,[12] in addition to Arsenal receiving £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.[13] Gallas rejected Chelsea's claim and accused the West Londoners of "lack[ing] class" and "hiding behind false accusations."[14] 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." 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

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."[15]

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.

Gallas was confirmed as Arsenal captain on 9 August 2007, with Kolo Touré serving as vice-captain. This caused some controversy, however, as Gilberto Silva was expected to receive the captain's armband. His first competitive game as Arsenal captain was on 12 August 2007 against Fulham, which ended in a 2–1 victory for Arsenal.[16] Gallas suffered a groin injury in the game against Blackburn Rovers on 19 August, but returned to play for Arsenal in their 2–0 victory over Bolton Wanderers on 20 October. In the traditional Arsenal–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 Athletic when Bacary Sagna crossed in and Gallas headed past 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 three points for Arsenal. He later reflected on his goal against former club Chelsea, claiming that, "When Cesc [Fàbregas] 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."[17]

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 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 scored for Arsenal against Bolton at Reebok Stadium in a 2–3 win on 29 March 2008, starting the comeback which ten-man Arsenal ultimately completed. Amid speculation that Gallas would be replaced as club captain following his behaviour during the Birmingham game, Wenger said that he would consider the matter at the end of the season.[18]

In August 2008, it was announced that Gallas would remain the club's captain for the 2008–09 season.[19] In the 2008–09 season, Gallas proved prolific in the Champions League. He scored six goals in Arsenal's campaign, including two against Dutch side Twente and an equaliser against Dynamo Kyiv, as well as a header against Spurs. On 29 October 2008, he scored his first league goal of the season against Tottenham at the Emirates, scoring Arsenal's second goal in a 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.[20]

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 the team were to be successful.[21][22] He was dropped from the squad for the next match, against Manchester City, and was reported to have been fined two weeks' wages.[23] Reports that he had been stripped of the captaincy permanently were confirmed by Arsenal on 24 November, and he succeeded by Cesc Fàbregas.[24] 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.[25][26]

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. The match finished 1–1 with Gallas only lasting 43 minutes of the first half.

Gallas started the 2009–10 campaign in fine form, scoring three goals in his first three games. He formed a partnership with Belgian centre back Thomas Vermaelen,[27] Arsenal's only major summer signing, and the pair scored seven 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.[28]

On 17 February, Gallas started his 100th league game for Arsenal in the 2–0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He 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 Barcelona only to get stretchered off before half-time 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.[29] 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.[30] It was reported that such demands included an £80,000-a-week paycheque over a two-year period.

Tottenham Hotspur

On 20 August 2010, Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp confirmed that Gallas was set to join the club and described the move as a "no-brainer."[31] The transfer was confirmed on 22 August, with Gallas signing a one-year contract at White Hart Lane.[32] 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.[33] 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.[34]

Gallas made his first-team debut on 11 September in a 1–1 draw away at West Bromwich Albion.[35] 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 2–3 Tottenham victory, Spurs' first league victory at Arsenal since 1993. On 2 February 2011, Gallas partnered Sébastien Bassong at the back against Blackburn at Ewood Park in their 1–0 midweek victory.[36] Gallas continued to impress for Tottenham into 2011. In the Champions League knockout stages, he put in two commanding performances against 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 kept him at the club until the end of the 2012–13 season. In his debut season at Spurs, he made 36 appearances in all competitions.[37]

During the 2011–12 Premier League, Gallas suffered several injuries that hindered his playing time for the season, making just 19 appearances for Tottenham during the campaign, particularly in light of the competition for the center-back spot with Michael Dawson and Ledley King. In the following season, Gallas played 17 games in the Premier League, scoring his first goal for the club—and also his first goal in over two years—against former club Chelsea in a 4–2 defeat. On 7 June 2013, the Premier League confirmed that he had been released from Tottenham.[38]

Perth Glory

On 23 October 2013, Gallas signed a one-year deal with Perth Glory,[39] becoming the first Frenchman to play in the Australian A-League. Gallas joined the league following the arrival of other international players, Alessandro Del Piero, Emile Heskey and Shinji Ono.[40] Gallas made his debut for Perth in round 6 against Adelaide United, coming on as substitute.[41] He scored his first goal on 3 September 2014 in a 1–1 draw against Wellington Phoenix[42] He was released after the end of the 2013–14 A-League, making 14 appearances and scoring one goal.[43]

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 Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Nicolas Anelka, Mikaël Silvestre and Willy Sagnol.

In October 2002, Gallas debuted for the France senior team in a UEFA Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovenia.[44] He was included in France's squad for the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup and played the full 90 minutes as Les Bleus defeated Cameroon 1–0 in the final. He went on to represent France at UEFA Euro 2004, starting in three of France's four matches, as they were knocked out by eventual champions Greece. In August 2005, Gallas scored his first goal for the national team in a friendly match against the Ivory Coast.

Gallas was ever present as France finished runner-up in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, losing on penalties to Italy at the Berlin Olympiastadion. In September 2006, he won his 50th cap for France in a 3–1 win against Italy at the Stade de France in a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier. At UEFA Euro 2008, Gallas was a regular starter as France were knocked out at the group stage.

In November 2009, Gallas scored a goal which qualified France for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The goal came against the Republic of Ireland in extra time of a World Cup playoff, making the score 1–1, and 2–1 to France on aggregate. The goal was controversial as it was scored after his teammate, Thierry Henry handled the ball twice.[45]

Gallas was included in France's squad for the 2010 World Cup. The tournament was a disaster for France as Nicolas Anelka was expelled by coach Raymond Domenech and the team went on strike from training.[46] As a senior member of the team, Gallas was cited as being one of the disruptive influences in an inharmonious camp.[47][48] After the tournament, Gallas criticised Domenech, blaming the former coach for France's first round elimination.[49]

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 had not been selected in the year since the World Cup.[50] Gallas is eligible to represent Guadeloupe internationally as well, as they are not FIFA-affiliated. His cousin Ludovic Quistin has represented Guadeloupe.[4]

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

Career statistics

Club

[51]

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
1995–96CaenLigue 2160-160
1996–97Ligue 1180-180
1997–98Marseille30-30
1998–9930090390
1999–200022071291
2000–01292-292
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
2001–02ChelseaPremier League301414030412
2002–03384503020484
2003–042914010111451
2004–052821050120462
2005–06345300070445
2006–07Arsenal213200060293
2007–08314201080424
2008–09232410093366
2009–10263100060333
2010–11Tottenham Hotspur270100080360
2011–12150200020190
2012–13171000000171
Country France 11821611343
England 3192628214074443631
Total 4372828214090557034

International

[52]

France national team
YearAppsGoals
200230
200380
2004150
2005111
2006151
200770
2008100
200992
201061
Total845

Honours

Club

Caen[53]
Chelsea[53][54]

International

Individual

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. 1 2 "International call-up for Seagull signing". Western Daily Press. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  5. Gallagher, Brendan (26 February 2009). "France expand arsenal with William Gallas's cousin Mathieu Bastareaud". Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  6. "Gallas sinks Man Utd". BBC. 19 October 2000.
  7. "Poyet heads for Chelsea exit". BBC Sport. 21 May 2001. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  8. "Gallas goes to Chelsea in £6.2m deal". The Guardian. London. 21 May 2001. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  9. Haond, Patrick. "Gallas embraces versatility". skysports.com. Sky Sports. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
  10. "Wenger welcomes new boy Gallas, says farewell to Cole". arsenal.com. Arsenal F.C. 2006-09-01. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
  11. "Stayaway Gallas in showdown with Chelsea". ESPN Soccernet. 1 August 2006. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  12. Bond, David (2 September 2006). "Cole moved after deadline". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  13. "Gallas 'issued own-goal threat'". BBC Sport. 5 September 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2006.
  14. "Gallas denies Chelsea claims". Sky Sports. 5 September 2006. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  15. "Robin van Persie 'to transfer Arsenal squad shirt number' for new season". Metro.co.uk. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  16. "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.
  17. Arsenal matchday programme before Tottenham Hotspur game, December 2007
  18. "Wenger to consider Gallas captaincy". BBC Sport. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2008.
  19. "Wenger – Why William Gallas will be captain". 5 February 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
  20. "Goal.com-Player Ratings: Arsenal 2–1 Manchester United". 5 February 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  21. "Gallas launches Arsenal outburst". BBC Sport. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  22. "Gallas urges Arsenal's young stars to fight harder". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 20 November 2008. Archived from the original on 24 January 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  23. Solhekol, Kaveh (22 November 2008). "William Gallas heads for Emirates exit". The Times. UK. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
  24. "Gallas 'stripped' of captain role". BBC Sport. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  25. Clarke, Richard (24 November 2008). "Fabregas named as new Arsenal captain". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
  26. "Arsenal name Fabregas as captain". BBC Sport. 24 November 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
  27. Stafford, Mikey (5 November 2009). "Arsenal should be ahead of the rest, says bullish Arsène Wenger". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  28. Lawrence, Amy (22 August 2009). "Premier League: Arsenal 4-1 Portsmouth".
  29. "Wenger – If Gallas leaves we'll sign a defender". Arsenal F.C. 29 April 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  30. "William Gallas won't hold Arsenal to ransom! Gunners chairman blasts defender's £80k-a-week wage demands". London: The Daily Mail. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  31. Riach, James (20 August 2010). "Redknapp confirms Gallas deal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  32. "Gallas deal agreed". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 22 August 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  33. "Gallas agrees landmark Spurs move". FourFourTwo. Reuters. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  34. "Spurs can win the Premier League, says William Gallas". BBC Sport. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  35. Lillywhite, Jamie (11 September 2010). "West Brom 1–1 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  36. McGrath, Mike (20 November 2010). "Redknapp wants Spurs to push into title race". Agence France-Press.
  37. "New Deal for Gallas". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 28 March 2011.
  38. "Premier League Free Transfer List 2012/13" (PDF). Premier League. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  39. "Perth Glory signs former Premier League defender William Gallas". The Australian. 23 October 2013.
  40. Press, Australian Associated (23 October 2013). "William Gallas agrees to Perth Glory move".
  41. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/ffa-ruined-william-gallas-perth-glory-debut-says-alistair-edwards/story-fnibbvne-1226761822585
  42. A-League (9 March 2014). "Wellington Phoenix vs Perth Glory, Hyundai A League 2014 (Round 22)" via YouTube.
  43. Metro.co.uk, Metro Sport Reporter for (16 October 2014). "Gallas retires - and this epic Perth Glory gaffe is probably why".
  44. "Marlet leads French charge". UEFA. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  45. Jackson, Lyle (18 November 2009). "France 1–1 Rep of Ire (agg 2–1)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  46. "France were already on World Cup strike before Nicolas Anelka row". The Guardian. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  47. Edwards, Luke (19 November 2012). "Samir Nasri, William Gallas and Florent Malouda criticised in Raymond Domenech book". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  48. "William Gallas sets off French storm after missing out on captaincy". Daily Mail. London. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  49. "Domenech the reason for fiasco, says bitter Gallas". Sydney Morning Herald. 8 July 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  50. "Gallas says au revoir to France as Tottenham defender turns his back on international football". Daily Mail. London. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  51. William Gallas career statistics at Soccerbase
  52. William Gallas at National-Football-Teams.com
  53. 1 2 3 4 "W. Gallas - Trophies". Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  54. "William Gallas honours, awards & transfer info". Premier League. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  55. "France - Footballer of the Year". RSSSF.
  56. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2003). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004. Queen Anne Press. p. 496. ISBN 1-85291-651-6.
  57. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2006). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2006–07. Mainstream Publishing. p. 480. ISBN 1-84596-111-0.
  58. "ESM Squad of the season: Season 2007/08". European Football Statistics. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to William Gallas.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Thierry Henry
Arsenal captain
2007–2008
Succeeded by
Cesc Fàbregas
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