In 2005 Chelsea’s William Gallas won the English Premiership. He was an integral member of the stingiest defence ever to grace the English game, conceding just 15 goals in 38 games as the Blues of Stamford Bridge amassed an astonishing 95 points.

2005 was also the year Gallas emerged as the most reliable player in France’s World Cup qualifying squad – the only play to start all ten Group 4 matches.

His performances for both club and country prompted Les Bleus Coach Raymond Domenech to call Gallas “the best left-back in the world.”

Yet William Gallas is not a happy man.

Because if there’s one thing the 28-year-old doesn’t like, it’s playing left-back.

Born in Paris’ northern suburbs Gallas dedicated his life to football at just 14 years of age when he was encouraged to try out for the national football academy at Clairefontaine. The budding striker was accepted along with Thierry Henry and Jérôme Rothen, however William’s parents had decided to return to their native Guadalupe and they agreed that the teenager could stay as long as he promised to make it as a professional.

He didn’t let them down.

In 1995, having made the transition to right-back, he signed for second division Caen and played alongside David Sommeil in the side that won Ligue 2 and was promoted to the top-flight the following season. However Gallas wasn’t to stay in Normandy for long. After a handful of first division appearances for Caen, French giants Marseille came knocking and Gallas would be heading to the Mediterranean coast for the start of the 1997-98 season.

However his first season in Marseille was one to forget. OM officials forgot to send his contract to the League for ratification and Gallas sat out the first half of the season. When his transfer finally got rubber stamped the following January he broke a toe and would finally make his first appearance for Marseille in the penultimate match of the season, 10 months after quitting Caen.

The next three seasons at OM would be more successful. A UEFA Cup Final (0-3 v Parma) and a second-place in the League will bring the athletic defender to the attention of then Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri.

Gallas’ move to Chelsea highlighted something that every good defender needs: timing.

Chelsea were on the way up but when Russian billionaire Roman Ambramovich decided he’d like a new hobby, Chelsea went into orbit.

Strong in the tackle, excellent in the air and a frighteningly quick and tenacious defender Gallas has emerged as one of the most reliable and efficient defenders in the Premiership… even when he’s out of position.