Unlucky Gallas loses number 13

WILLIAM GALLAS is set for a major row with Chelsea after seeing his lucky number 13 squad number taken away and given to Michael Ballack.

Gallas is already in the bad books at Chelsea after failing to turn up for the pre-season training camp in America and choosing to stay on holidays instead.

He expected a fine for that “misunderstanding” but was not prepared for what happened next.

Without telling the player what they planned to do, Chelsea added insult to injury by offering Gallas’ lucky number 13 shirt, which he has worn since joining the club in May 2001, to new signing Ballack.

They then presented it live on television at a press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Hollywood, leaving Gallas fuming at home.

Ballack revealed the whole thing started because he has worn number 13 all his life and asked Chelsea if he could have it in London.

“Initially I wanted the 13 shirt and I was sad because it had already been taken,” revealed Ballack. “I had accepted number 19 but two days ago the coach came and said OK, it’s fine for you to have the 13 after all.”

That change of heart coincided with Gallas’ failure to turn up in America and his agent Pierre Frelot is not happy.

He said: “It is not possible for them to give Ballack the number 13 shirt without talking to William first. William has been wearing that number for five years and it is the shirt he expects to be in.

“As far as we are concerned William’s absence is still a misunderstanding.

“I am very surprised they haven’t waited to hear the explanation of the player in person first before releasing a statement and taking action against him.

“We will meet with Chelsea on Friday to have a serious talk about it, but I can’t say whether this will affect William signing a new contract.”

Now it is unclear whether Gallas, who asked to leave in May when he heard AC Milan were interested in him, will play for Chelsea again.

He is due to join his teammates on Monday, in time for a pre-season friendly against Feyenoord the following day, and Chelsea still want him to sign a new four-year, £70,000-a-week contract. But the saga of the number 13 shirt makes negotiations even tougher.