Such a Flagrant Lack of Respect For William Gallas

Apparently hell hath no fury like a footballer whose number is given to another.

France and Arsenal defender William Gallas claims he did not leave Chelsea last fall for the standard reasons. He left because they gave away his Number 13 to Michael Ballack. (Ooh. Burn.)

Says William: ‘Nicking the No 13 shirt off me to give it to Ballack was a flagrant lack of respect. I could have honoured the last year of my contract and been free at the end of the season.’

Hmm. Revisionist history, anyone? I’ll admit to being too lazy to go back and research this, but didn’t they give Ballack #13 because our William refused to come back to training? And kind of skipped an American tour?

William? Sweetie? It frequently takes two to tango in that whole little “flagrant lack of respect” dance.

Although it does look like this particular tango could cost Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho more than Gallas. Several news accounts are saying that Mourinho will be leaving Chelsea after this season, and the state of the Gallas-less defense is one of the main reasons…

I guess Mourinho will think twice before giving a guy’s jersey away next time, eh?