Always concerned about being played out of position at left-back rather than in his preferred position in the centre, there was constant speculation about his future with foreign newspapers quoting him on his desire to move on.
He finally got his move away on transfer deadline day when swapping clubs with another wantaway star, Arsenal's Ashley Cole and signed for Arsenal.
Gallas was signed by Claudio Ranieri for the Stamford Bridge outfit in May 2001, snapped up from Marseille for £6.2million and dubbed as one of the brightest prospects France had to offer.
He made his debut in a 1-1 home draw against Newcastle United, and after a slow start he eventually blossomed into a fine player for Chelsea. Worth every penny, he played 41 games in his first season, netting two goals.
He grew in stature in the Chelsea line-up, earning his full France debut in a 5-0 demolition of Slovenia in a Euro 2004 qualifier in October 2002.
Gallas was in the France squad for Euro 2004, playing all four games as they were unexpectedly knocked out in the quarter-finals by Greece.
Despite spending much of the 2004/05 season speculating over his own future with Chelsea, Gallas continued to be a vital member of the first team. With Celestine Babayaro sold to Newcastle United and Wayne Bridge sidelined with an ankle injury, Gallas was forced to play at left-back for the second half of the season.
Much of the press speculation centred around his displeasure at being played out of position, ignoring the fact that Chelsea had no other player to slot in at left-back.
Gallas started 28 Premiership games - second only to John Terry among the club's central defenders - as Chelsea won the Premiership and the Carling Cup.
The centre-back was one of the first names on Jose Mourinho's teamsheet in 2005/06, as well as for France at the World Cup as they lost out to Italy on penalties in the final.
By this point Gallas had cemented his place as one of the best defenders in Europe, able to play anywhere across the back four and equally as adept in each position.
But Gallas continued to voice his displeasure at being unable to play in the centre of defence. And he finally earned a move away after making 225 Chelsea appearances and scoring 14 goals.
Most observers considered Arsenal to have got the better of the Cole-Gallas swap, and that certainly seemed to be the case with his early performances.
Gallas made his debut in a 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough and bagged his first goal in a 3-0 home victory over Sheffield United. He soon became a vital member of the first team alongside Kolo Toure, and was named captain for the 2007/08 season over Gilberto Silva.
Gallas scored against his old club, Chelsea, in December, to give the Gunners a 1-0 win; but his season was blemished by a tantrum thrown after the club drew 2-2 with Birmingham in February, conceding a penalty in the final minute.
Many critics blamed Gallas' outburst for Arsenal's failure to maintain their title challenge and the Frenchman could end up losing the captaincy as a result.
A colourful character, the centre-back brings important experience to a youthful side and is one of the most important players in Wenger's side.
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