Harry Redknapp has moved quickly to douse any simmering tensions Tottenham Hotspur fans harbour towards William Gallas by declaring the former Arsenal defender's acquisition is a "no brainer". Gallas, 33, became the club's second summer signing yesterday after passing a medical and agreeing a one-year contract. The signing went through too late for Gallas to be in contention for today's game against Stoke City, but when he does make his Spurs debut, he will be the first player to represent London's three biggest clubs.
An even bigger achievement, however, could be winning over his new club's supporters, who have been almost conditioned to jeer the former Gunners and Chelsea defender over the past decade. But Redknapp has asked supporters to forget Gallas's past, saying landing the France international on a free transfer represents great business for the club. "I just think it's a no brainer - a player of that experience and that quality on a free transfer. He's a top-class defender and I'm well pleased to have him here," Redknapp told reporters at Tottenham's training ground in Chigwell, Essex.
"He's done nothing wrong. What's he done wrong?" added Redknapp, who has admitted in the past that he grew up supporting Spurs' bitter rivals Arsenal. "He won championships and all sorts at Chelsea. He's a great lad as well, smashing fellow. I've been absolutely really impressed with him. "He'll improve Tottenham and that's all I'm concerned about. He wants to come here and play and I think that shows the character. He could say, 'I played at Arsenal; I daren't go there.'
"He's got the bottle to want to come and play here." Redknapp has been keen to bolster his centre-back options with Jonathan Woodgate still sidelined by a long-term groin injury while Ledley King's chronic knee problems restrict his appearances to one match a week at most. Gallas, who spent the past four years at Arsenal, was released by the club after he rejected their offer of a short-term contract on a vastly reduced salary.
Gallas also faces an uphill battle to win over his critics after question marks were raised over his attitude while he was at both Chelsea and Arsenal. "I don't think his attitude's ever been questioned," Redknapp said. "The only problem he has, he gets annoyed with people at times - they tell me - who are not as professional as he is, which is not a bad thing. That can't do any harm. "He wants everybody to be as professional and want to win as much as he does."
* Compiled by Steve Luckings Stoke v Spurs, 6pm, today, ADMC Sports 3, to order: 600-2388 or www.admcsport.com
