downincognito

going, going, going, going, going, going, gone!

You could well call it the most protracted and infuriating prisoner exchange saga since Cold War stealthily sneaked into history books. The Frenchman can now finally cry "liberte" and the Englishman can make some quick pocket money by hawking his dopey diary which will tell you a thing or two about laundry manners ("Dein and Co. hung me out to dry") and fishing tips ("Arsenal fed me to the sharks").

Ashley Cole = William Gallas + £5 million. On the surface of it, Chelsea looks to have stolen the yummiest part of the pie. But, Wenger must be the one who enjoyed a quietly euphoric celebration dinner sometime after midnight.

The deal seems like a steal simply because Chelsea has been badly getting shafted in the transfer market. Cole is just a good left-back with a pretty pop singer for company, but Gallas is the epitome of versatility. You can stick him up anywhere in the backline and he won't look out of place. Of course, he's not known for burning the grass on the flanks with his sprints or a superlative crossing ability, but when Thierry Henry stutters at the sight of him, you know Gallas is something special.

Gallas had all the right to be greedy at Chelsea. He was the best defender but Terry always got the better paycheques and plaudits. Old Blighty's press corps is notorious for hyping up English players' performances. I do admit Terry is a born leader, risks his balls to block a dangerous ball and scores some handy goals. But, will Mourinho ever stick him up at leftback for even one match, let alone half a season?

The gaffer abused Gallas' versatility to no end and when the latter asked for a paycheck on par with Terry's, Kenyon and Co. were busy chuckling. Well, here's payback time.

Arsenal never was Gallas' destination. But the Italian 'matrimonial' scandal meant that his options simply went up in smoke. Looks like Wenger quietly had a word with him after the World Cup. And the tantrums promptly started.

Why do you think Wenger sold Sol and never tried hard to land a replacement. And this was despite the fact that Senderos was on the sickbed. He knew Gallas was coming.

For him, Gallas is Terry, Cole and Finnan all rolled into one. And £5 million will do nicely for the Cashburden Grove repayment fund.

posted by downincognito @ 2:48 AM