William Gallas snubs former Arsenal stars in dream 5-a-side team

"He was very strong, very difficult to beat him and we won trophies together. With 202 clean sheets in 443 Premier League appearances, Cech is the record holder and his legacy still stands strong today."

"As a captain, very strong. Good leader and I had the difficulty of playing against him. On a five-a-side pitch especially, Terry isn't letting anyone past him."

"Because he's my hero. The legend, it was unbelievable to watch him. What he did as a left-back or as a centre-back. For many, Maldini is the best defender of all time."

"I have to put Makelele. To be just in front of the two centre-backs, to have that security. You can tell that Gallas was a defender, can't you?"

William Gallas constructed his ideal five-a-side team from players he played with or against throughout his career. His selections reflect a defensive-oriented approach rather than an attacking-heavy lineup typical of many former professionals. Petr Cech anchors the team as goalkeeper, with John Terry and Paolo Maldini forming the defensive line. Claude Makelele provides midfield security in front of the defenders, while Zinedine Zidane serves as the sole attacking player. Notably, no Arsenal players made the squad despite Gallas's time at the club, with neither Thierry Henry nor Cesc Fabregas receiving consideration. Gallas emphasized the quality and leadership of his selections, particularly highlighting his shared trophy-winning experiences with Cech and Terry at Chelsea.

Read at Planet Football