Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has laughed off criticism of his decision to pursue William Gallas who looks set to move to White Hart Lane after leaving Arsenal (Spurs 11/4 for a top-four finish).
The 33-year-old has spent almost 10 years in the Premiership after five seasons at Chelsea and four at Arsenal but is currently without a club following his decision to leave the Emirates Stadium when offered a new deal on reduced wages.
The Frenchman has earned a reputation as a bit of a trouble maker in his career to date and was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy for publicly criticising his team-mates, while also staging a ’sit-in’ on the pitch at Birmingham back in 2008 following a 2-2 draw with the Blues.
He also left Chelsea under a cloud as part of the deal to take Ashley Cole to Stamford Bridge, with rumours, later denied by the player, that Gallas had threatened to score own goals if he was not allowed to leave Chelsea.
All the reports of petulant behaviour have not deterred Redknapp in his quest to sign the France international defender and he made it clear, in his own inimitable way, that he will have no problem bringing the former Caen defender to the club.
“It’s all cobblers,” he said. “What’s he done? It’s not the Yorkshire Ripper I’m signing, is it? He’s a footballer, he plays football.
“I must say, whenever we’ve played against him, I always felt he was a fantastic defender.
“I spoke to a few people about him – who have played with him and everything else – and everyone came back with the same views as I’ve got.
“And if he has got a temperament, from what they tell me and the people I spoke to who’ve played with him is that he gets the hump with people who are not as professional as he is.”
Gallas’ proposed move is bound to cause consternation among Gunners’ fans as they will possibly have to watch one of their former heroes playing his trade with their bitter north London rivals.
Former England defender Sol Campbell famously incurred the wrath of the Spurs fans by moving in the opposite direction back in 2001 after nine years with Tottenham and it could be pay back time for the Spurs faithful as they look set to welcome Gallas to the club before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
Spurs face Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking for their first win of the Premiership season following a 0-0 draw with Manchester City last weekend (Tottenham 6/5 to beat Stoke).
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