Gallas likely to stay, insists Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes want-away defender William Gallas will 'probably remain at Stamford Bridge this season.

Gallas, whose contract at the Blues expires in the summer of 2007, reiterated his desire to leave the club yesterday.

But Mourinho, speaking to L'Equipe.com, insists there have been no bids for the versatile defender and feels it will be for the good of Chelsea if Gallas stays put. 'He still has one year on his contract at Chelsea,' said the Portuguese coach.

'He is probably going to stay. 'I must defend the interests of Chelsea. 'For the first time in my career, I am ready to keep a player who doesn't want to stay although I know that won't be easy. 'I have already explained to Gallas that the club who wishes to buy him is a phantom club, one without a face.

He has still not had an clear offer - he is working in the dark. It encourages a player to adopt the wrong attitude. 'If by August 31, this invisible club doesn't become visible, if it does not stop its unethical behaviour and it does not make a serious, honest offer that meets the value of the player, he will end up staying.'

After Wednesday's friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, in which Gallas scored in a 2-1 win for France, the 29-year-old defender said: 'I still want to leave Chelsea.' He added: 'I hope things will get sorted out quickly.'

In swallowing his pride by uttering his desire to keep Gallas, Mourinho must be desperate and he knows the current team is still "incomplete" and will be further depleted with the departure of Gallas. Chelsea is not under any pressure to sell players to raise money so it will be difficult for Gallas to leave without the consent of Mourinho.

Nevertheless, Mourinho's patience will be severely tested by the disgruntled Gallas if he affects team morale or throw in half-hearted performances. It will be interesting to see how Mourinho react to Gallas petulance and if he will allow his iron-fisted rule over the team to be challenged...