William Gallas has announced his retirement after a stellar career taking in Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Here are five of the Frenchman’s most memorable Premier League moments.
Premier League legend William Gallas has retired, and fans all over the world will be sad to see him go. He made his name at Chelsea as an excellent defender, but went on to be known more for his crazy antics than anything else. Here are some of the most memorable Gallas moments on these shores.
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5. Crazy Team Talk
Many questioned Jose Mourinho’s decision to get rid of Gallas as part of the Ashley Cole deal. Gallas had been amazing for Chelsea in their two title winning seasons, but Mourinho had seen the signs of mental weakness that would be his downfall. Arsene Wenger did not heed these warnings and made Gallas captain, leading to some hilarious moments like this team-talk before a match against former club Chelsea. Just look at Fabregas’ face!
4. Last-minute Spurs Stunner
Gallas went on to play for Arsenal and Tottenham, but he will always be a hero at Chelsea for one moment in particular. In March 2006, with the Blues drawing 1-1 with Tottenham in the 91st minute and seemingly about to throw away the title, Gallas took the ball down the left, cut inside past two defenders and thumped a powerful drive past Paul Robinson.
3. Bolton Brutality
Witnessing Eduardo’s dreadful ankle injury didn’t discourage Gallas from making a few awful challenges of his own, including this famous lunge on Bolton midfielder Mark Davies. Bolton boss Owen Coyle called it “akin to assault”, but the horror tackle went unpunished.
2. Thumbs Down Clown
With Fulham 1-0 up against Chelsea, Gallas received a red card and was forced to trudge across the pitch to the corner where the tunnel is, in front of a sea of delighted Fulham fans. He responded to their taunts with a relatively quaint “thumbs down” response.
1. Sitting Protest
This stone-cold classic Premier League moment came with Arsenal top of the league in February 2008. Arsenal were shaken by the awful injury to Eduardo, and when James McFadden scored a late penalty, unjustly awarded against Gael Clichy, it all proved to be too much for Gallas. As the final whistle went he raged around the edge of the pitch kicking advertising boards, and then sat down for a full two minutes, listening to the jeers of the crowd.