WILLIAM GALLAS has reopened old wounds with his former club
Chelsea by insisting: They hurt me.
The France ace is scarred and still angered by the way Blues tried
to make his name dirt earlier this season. His reputation with
Stamford Bridge fans was destroyed for ever when Chelsea claimed
that Gallas threatened to score an OWN GOAL if he was not allowed
to join Arsenal.
But Gallas, 29, insisted: I do not see myself as a rebel but as
someone who is fair and has principles. It was really hard to
listen to certain things that they said about me just to hurt me
like the story that I would score an own goal if I played for
Chelsea again.
I went through some really bad days. If I dont hurt anybody why
do they have to hurt me? Thats how I am, its not a question of
being a rebel. From the moment Im shown respect, I give respect.
If they dont do that, then I wont do it either. To the good, Im
good. But to the bad, Im bad as well.
Gallas took a pounding from his former bosses after deciding he
wanted out as he could no longer accept being played as a left-back
by Chelsea chief Jose Mourinho.
But the ugliness continued with Chelsea claiming on their official
website that Gallas had threatened to miss crucial games as well as
the own goal accusation.
Now Gallas insists the pain and suffering of his acrimonious
departure was deliberately caused by Chelsea despite Mourinho
previously hailing him as one of the best defenders in the
world.
In an interview with a Spanish magazine, Gallas added: This shows
that there was, and is, a problem at Chelsea. To find out exactly
what we are dealing with we would have to ask the coach and chief
executive Peter Kenyon.
Thats football. Sadly, people know full well who I am and my way
of being. Only those who have no idea about me can end up thinking
that Im capable of doing something like that, scoring an own
goal.
Mourinho admitted this week that Chelsea miss Gallas qualities,
but the player has found happiness under Arsene Wenger.
He said: Since Ive trained with him and my new team-mates I
understand perfectly how and why Wenger wants this style of
play.
We move the ball at incredible speed, using only one or two
touches. I love this style and I havent seen it at any other club
in England.
