Chelsea issue statement on Gallas

Chelsea have issued the following statement on their website in response to Williams Gallas's reportred comments to French newspaper L'Equipe.
Chelsea said: "William Gallas has made a great contribution to Chelsea since he has been here and he has been offered a very good new contract in recognition of that. That contract is still on offer and we would like him to be at Chelsea for the next four years.

"If it is not accepted, then William is still under contract for one more year and we will not be encouraging offers for players that we want to keep. Under Premier League rules he would be able to leave at the end of next season (2006/7) on a free transfer."

William Gallas has been at Chelsea for five seasons since signing from Marseille in May 2001 for a fee of £6.2 million. He has since become a French international and his current Chelsea totals stand at 213+12 games and 14 goals.