Thetownend.com

Chelsea say they sold William Gallas because he threatened to score an own goal if he was selected for their first game of the season.
The Stamford Bridge club have released a statement explaining their reasons for allowing the French defender to join Arsenal on transfer deadline day.

Gallas, 29, allegedly refused to play again for the Blues.

Chelsea claim he said he would score an own goal if he was forced to play against Manchester City on 20 August.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/5314292.stm

sounds a charming fellow that gallas

Come on, they deserve it. :horns:

It would be brilliant if Gallas scores an own goal in a Arsenal vs. Chelsea fixture this season.

what a crock of lying shite from chelsea

they're fucking boring now

they got the man they wanted, just fucking shut up and get on with it

There was no need to release this statement, just shows the lack of class by Chelsea.

Like dmr said they've both got who they wanted so STFU.

Agreed, pathetic club who remind me of the spoilt kid who would always take his football home if his team lost!!

I hate all the business that occurs at the top end of our football these days.  Contracts mean absolutely nothing.  In an ideal world, Gallas, sitting on his huge pile of cash, with his presumably stunning missus, in his big house made of gold, with trees that grow money, and kids that shit money, would have been happy with his lot, realised he had a contract, and played a game he loves for the best team in the country for a shit load of money.  I'm not quite sure how anyone is supposed to feel sorry for him.  It's not just him, its the whole top end of the market.  People being unhappy with 60 grand a week for playing football a couple of times a week.  Poor buggers.  I'm off this afternoon to shift milk bottles around a dairy for 12 hours so I can pay rent on my tiny flat.  These blokes don't know their born.  

Rant over.

But Gallas declared: "I am surprised and shocked by these remarks.

"I never said that I would score an own goal. I was very firm in my will to leave, that is clear, and I will explain at the appropriate time why.

"If people want to hide behind these eccentric charges to explain my departure instead of assuming their responsibilities in front of their supporters, then they can do.

"All this is very, very petty on behalf of Chelsea. But at the same time, coming on behalf of its new leaders, that does not surprise me. Even if Chelsea has much money, its new leaders lack class."

Good work Willy

to be fair he had a right to ask for a pay rise.terry lampard etc all on over 100k a week but gallas not offered over 60k

My point is, can people really tell the difference between 60k and 100k a week?  I'm not really having a go at him personally, its just that the whole system is ridiculous.  I think when we talk about football the money thing becomes out of context.  Step back from it for a minute and think about how much money 60k is.  If you need more than that, something is wrong with your life.  And if he has an ego that says I want that because he is getting it, then that just shows that the system ruins people's outlook on life.  I know to expect it to change is unrealistic, it just pisses me off.

And no he does not have a right to ask/demand a pay rise, if his contract, the legally binding document that he willingly signed, does not stipulate that he has a right to one.

I understand you point Doore, to quote something I read a few weeks ago "theres only so much dimond encrusted tat you can buy"

I think the point is that in any walk of life, be it earning £60k a week or £60 a day if a fellow employee does the same job to the same standard as you but gets paid 30% more (ie Terry & Gallas) then people are going to get pissed off regardless of the massive ammounts of cash involved.

I know you are right Piemonte, I just wish it wasn't the case, and some of these playeres would realise just how lucky they really are.

frankly, if Gallas thinks Chelsea is shit, Mourinio is an arse and Abramovic "lacks class" I can do nothing but agree with him, he sounds alright by me !

Mind you, my assessment of Arsenal and Wenger wouldn't be too far off that either

Agreed, i know the money they get paid is disgusting but if Lampard,Cech & Terry are on BIG money then why wasnt Gallas seeing as he was one of their main reasons in winning back to back titles.

its not just down to money though, doore. gallas wanted to play central defence but the terry/carvalho partnership won't be broken (god knows why - gallas is miles better than ricardo)

and I want to be paid shit loads for being played slightly out of position.  I don't want to get up in the morning.  I don't see why he, having signed a big money contract, should be able to dictate where he plays.  Look at Alan Smith, he never wanted to play in midfield, but he just gone on with it, never whinged.

because people are different?

fair enough if he wants to go somewhere else after playing all around chelsea's back four for the last few years.

yes footballers are overpaid but if you're there you may as well try and get what you can, especially at a bastard club like chelsea.

What about the obligation that comes with signing a contract?  Do you think this should be adhered to?

yes, but gallas has proven that contracts can be pretty meaningless and regardless of the contract you can't keep a player against his will.

the only obligations in a contract are written into it. if gallas was in breach of his contract with his actions, why don't chelsea take action?

unless alot of the stuff we hear is bullshit. which it most probably is.