By dixon9
November 29 2008

William Gallas: Quotes from him, those that know him such as fellow players and managers, extracts from his recently released autobiography and comments he had made to French journalists with whom he possibly felt more at ease with. A very talented footballer and yet a very complex, troubled and sensitive man. Part 2:

What Gallas said in the past:Under Ranieri:

"I'm not very happy at Chelsea and I don't know if I will stay or not. I have to talk to Ranieri soon. It's important we have talks."

"There are problems for me with the team management and many things. I have three years left on my contract but I was offered a new one and didn't sign it because I am unhappy at the club."

Under Mourinho:

"I have six months left to make my decision but I am 28 and maybe it is time to look elsewhere. Maybe I need a new challenge. I have been here since 2001 and of course I have enjoyed it.

"There are some massive clubs out there who might prove tempting to me. I remember when a France team-mate told me once: 'When you wear the AC Milan shirt, it shows you have succeeded'. That makes you think."

Later Under Mourinho:(L'Equipe)

"Milan are interested in me and I'm interested in going there.  I have taken my decision. I want to leave Chelsea.”

"For five years I gave everything for a club I love and I respect.  But after France and England I want to discover another league. I want to keep improving...I'm nearly 29 and this is the right moment to change clubs."

"Chelsea don't want to let me go. That's a big problem. We have to find a solution."

Chelsea FC Club statement:

"Chelsea believes it is important for our supporters to be made aware of the full facts regarding William Gallas and the lack of respect he showed to the fans, the manager and the club. "Despite leaving he continues to attack José Mourinho and this cannot be left unchallenged.

"Chelsea made William Gallas a very substantial and attractive new contract offer to stay towards the end of last season. This was rejected.

"The issue was purely one of money, despite his public comments that he wanted a new challenge, to play abroad and so forth. These were just a smokescreen to cover up the fact he was hawking himself to the highest bidder.

"Having failed to secure his demands, his position became increasingly intransigent and unacceptable. He initially refused to play against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final last season in an effort to force an increased contract offer.

"As is now well documented he refused to join up with the team in Los Angeles during pre-season, despite agreeing the dates for his return as the other World Cup players did, with the club.  

"When Jose Mourinho generously offered him a way back into the 'family' after the American tour, this was thrown back in the Chelsea manager's face.

"The manager told him that, even if he did not agree a new contract but returned to the "family" and abided by the rules, he would still select the best players available and would not punish him playing wise.

"However despite meetings to try and resolve the problems Gallas made it clear to Jose Mourinho he would never play for Chelsea again.

"Before the first game of the season against Manchester City, when only four defenders were available and John Terry was doubtful with an injury, he refused to play.

"He went on to threaten that if he was forced to play, or if he was disciplined and financially punished for his breach of the rules, that he could score an own goal or get himself sent off, or make deliberate mistakes.

"Clearly this was a totally unacceptable situation for the manager, the team and the club. So a collectively agreed solution in Chelsea's interests had to be found, hence his departure.

"Chelsea has a wage structure in place that is valued not only on the contribution of the player to the manager and the team, but also on a player's respect for the club and contribution to the promotion and image of the club off the field. Every player is expected to play their part in this.

"William Gallas rarely recognised these responsibilities. He also failed to recognise the role Jose Mourinho and Chelsea played in helping him become a double Premiership champion for a player whose only league title prior to that had been in the French Second Division."

Chelsea director of communications Simon Greenberg:

"After several comments by William, we felt it was right to explain to our fans why we sold him.

"It was also after several attacks by William on the manager Jose Mourinho, and to explain the series of events that led up to him being sold on Chelsea's terms."

 

Recently at Arsenal:

"I'm 31, the player is six years younger than me.  There are things that can't be said and can't be tolerated."

"When, as captain, some players come up to you and talk to you about a player, complaining about him and then during the match you speak to this player and the player in question insults us,"

"There comes a time where we can no longer comprehend how this can happen.  I am trying to defend myself a bit without giving names. Otherwise I'm taking it all [the blame]. It's very frustrating,"

"We are coming up against teams who are not scared to play football against us, who are not scared to take us on at our place, and this is becoming dangerous for Arsenal,"

"We are not brave enough in battle. I think we need to be soldiers. We have to be warriors. There are teams who can do it well against us, and we have to be able to face up to these attacks."

"The problem is the Manchester youngsters have been through something, they've won something."

In contrast, he said, Arsenal's players have been rewarded early with lucrative, long-term deals. "That makes the difference, perhaps.  Maybe, against Manchester, it was the whole team that fought for victory. But when you stop fighting together, there comes a time when the midfield will sink, the defenders, unfortunately, can also sink. That's what happened against Villa."

"I have to win something, Arsenal has to win something." Another season without doing so would be a "kind of failure" which would lead to him considering his future. "We will have to see,"

Clichy:

“It has shattered something within the squad.  It is something that should have remained between him and the boss even though there may be some truth in what William said.”

“The manager and William have since discussed the matter but it is still a shame. It is done now, and there is no going back. It is now down to the players and staff to glue the fragments back together and move on.”

Wenger

Claiming that Gallas now had increased respect from his team-mates and supporters:

"Especially of the fans.  Of the players as well. Your attitude can always gain you credit or lose you credit and I think the kind of attitude he has shown, he has gained credit. He is as committed as ever.”

"Will I say anything extra to him before the game?  ’Focus on what you do.' Personally, I don't think it's that difficult and I tell you, I have got a lot of stick [from crowds] during my career. On a pitch, no matter what, you don't hear it. As a player, you don't even know if it rains. You are just focused on the game."