Gallas aims for title challenge with new club Tottenham
After swapping the red side of North London for the white side, former Arsenal captain William Gallas issued an ambitious statement of intent on arrival at White Hart Lane to play for Tottenham. Gallas, known for his often temperamental antics as well as his stubborn defending, claims his newest club should be aiming even higher than their surprise fourth-place last season.
Aiming high
“Finishing fourth last season shows Spurs have improved a lot and I hope this season we are going to finish even higher, maybe even win the Premier League,” the former Chelsea man stated.
Having amassed two Premier League titles already – both under Jose Mourinho’s astute tutelage at Chelsea – Gallas knows what it takes to claim such a coveted prize. That the Spurs are realistic contenders for the crown is something only few outside of White Hart Lane would genuinely believe, but the squad is certainly talented. Players such as Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon, Wilson Palacios and Jermain Defoe are just a few star names that build the nucleus of the side, which is boosted by the impressive strength in depth the club has possessed for the past few seasons.
However, with Manchester City spending the millions they have, Chelsea seemingly getting stronger and stronger, and of course Manchester United, who will always be strong contenders, it’s difficult to believe Spurs could really take the crown. Gallas isn’t alone in his assertion though, with Harry Redknapp muttering the same words just last month, suggesting there is no shortage of belief in the dressing room.
Fresh start
For Gallas personally, Spurs surely represents his last chance at top level football, with the Frenchman, now 33, in the winding down phase of his career. Indeed, just what role he will play for the club remains to be seen, as along with fitness worries of his own, he will struggle to get into the backline when everyone is fit. On the flip side, Spurs will have no shortage of important games this season – providing they qualify for the Champions League group stage this week – so the importance of a large squad is not to be undervalued. And Gallas is quick to point out his personal aims for the season:
“I just want to be fit as soon as possible, train with my team-mates and play matches. I want to show everybody I am still here.” After a rather tumultuous end to his Gunners career, the Frenchman sounds like he has a point to prove. Not to mention the movitatition of putting away a disastrous France team World Cup performance.
With Gallas crossing the North London border somewhat, it was a move expected to cause a bit of a stir amongst the Emirates faithful. But Gallas’ attitude problems meant many Gunners fans were never fully endeared to him, and with that fateful day at Birmingham still etched in most minds, Gallas can expect boos on his return to the Emirates, but nothing in the region of Sol Campbell’s flack when he made the opposite move all those years ago.
On the subject of Gallas’ temperament issues, Wenger was quick to jump to his defence earlier in the week, claiming: “William has an exaggerated bad reputation. I believe that he is a genuine winner." Encourgaing words from his former manager and Spurs will be hoping Gallas’ winning and dedicated attitude comes to the fore, more than his sulking and bad tempered traits. If he can control those issues, then his experience and know-how could prove a vital comondety for Spurs this season – althoguh winning the title still seems a touch unrealistic. It doesn't hurt to aim high though.
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