Former Arsenal captain William Gallas has revealed his opinions on some of the most talked-about names in world football since the exciting end to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the second part of his exclusive interview.

The 45-year-old Frenchman played for three Premier League clubs Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, winning the league twice with the blue side of London.

Gallas also appeared 84 times for Sunday's runners-up France, including starting in their 2006 World Cup final loss to Italy.

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After the end of the World Cup in Qatar, the focus has turned to January and the transfer window, which has become even more of a talking point after the emergence of many talented players during the tournament.

Names such as Marcus Rashford, Jude Bellingham and Cristiano Ronaldo have all been on pundits' lips, and Gallas gave his verdict on what route they should take next in their careers.

  • Ronaldo to cure Chelsea's striker curse?

"Chelsea have to buy a striker," Gallas declared.

"They have to find the right striker to fit the system. It's not only me who sees that problem."

The Blues have suffered from a lack of form from their striker for many years, with Spaniard Diego Costa being the last player to really hit top form for them most recently in the 2016/17 season.

Since then, strikers have really struggled to handle the No.9 mantle at Stamford Bridge, with players like Timo Werner, now departed, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang falling victim of late.

"Chelsea are in a position where they're not scoring many goals, and Ronaldo could do that."

Ronaldo was released by Manchester United after his viral interview with Piers Morgan where he revealed his discontent with the club's hierarchy and manager Erik Ten Hag.

The Portuguese international scored once at this winter's World Cup but was dropped for his country's 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the Round of 16 for Benfica youngster Gonçalo Ramos who scored a hat trick in the game.

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Ronaldo needs to be the main man to succeed and still has some life left in him despite being 37 years old, so a move to Chelsea could work out for both parties.

"It would have been difficult for him at the World Cup on the bench, so he needs time to avoid a similar situation to what happened at Man United," expressed the former French international.

"If he goes to Chelsea it should only be until the end of the season but I think he could do a good job there."

  • Jude Bellingham: England's greatest midfielder?

Gallas' Chelsea connection shone through talking about Bellingham with the ex-Blue keen for the 19-year-old to move back to England.

"Bellingham should go to Chelsea," proclaimed Gallas.

"They need a midfielder who is tall, strong and can go box to box. Bellingham is a perfect player for Chelsea and they should have signed him earlier."

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder was one of the players of the World Cup, forming a brilliant relationship with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson during England's run to the quarter-finals.

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Gallas was quick to acknowledge this as a hurdle in Chelsea's pursuit of the youngster and heap on the praise for young Bellingham.

"Now, it will be more difficult as he has a connection with Liverpool. Bellingham is the future of English football. He has everything, and if he carries on like this, he will be England’s best midfielder."

  • Vlahović or Félix? Arsenal's search for a frontman

Arsenal's ex-captain Gallas addressed the longstanding rumours surrounding the North London club's search for a competitor to talisman Gabriel Jesus.

It was recently announced that Jesus will be out for around three months after having to undergo knee surgery, which may force Arsenal's hand in signing a new forward to fill in and provide substantial competition for the Brazilian when he returns.

Juventus forward Dušan Vlahović was heavily linked with The Gunners in January before making the move to the Italian giants, but has still been spoken about in the same breath as Arsenal since the switch.

"Vlahović will only be a good signing if he fits Arteta’ system," Gallas revealed.

"He is very different to Jesus, as Jesus moves around a lot more, making the football good to watch. Jesus is not afraid to play and helps out his teammates. I’m not sure if Vlahović can do the same."

Portugal star João Félix is another name linked with the red side if North London.

The Atlético Madrid star was tipped for greatness before his move to Spain from Portuguese side Benfica, and could still reach those heights, however, the playing style of Atleti has somewhat stunted his progress.

A move to England could be the fresh start he needs.

"Joao Felix could certainly be a good fit for Arsenal. However, you already have Saka on one side and Martinelli on the other. They are both on fire, and Arsenal probably do not need them at the moment."

The width that Félix uses in his play may mean that he isn't the out-and-out No.9 that The Gunners are looking for.

  • Joško Gvardiol: "Chelsea panicked"

"Chelsea panicked in the summer. They saw some players and put a lot of money towards them when for me, they did not meet their value. Some chairmen spend too much money when they have no idea what they are doing."

The Frenchman's criticism for new Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly is evident, with him not being overly impressed at the American's summer recruitment.

Gallas' disappointment was evident when speaking about Chelsea's consistent interest in one of the best players of the World Cup.

"Chelsea were linked with Gvardiol last year and they should have got him then. Instead, they got (Wesley) Fofana and (Kalidou) Koulibaly, while they already have Thiago Silva and [Cesar Azpilicueta]. It may be difficult to get him now though. At the start of the season it would have been a good move but I don’t know if it would be now."

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The Croat shone in his nation's run to third place in Qatar, attracting more interest from big clubs, including the Blues.

Currently at German side RB Leipzig, Gvardiol is definitely a signing for the present and the future at the fresh age of 20; a contrast to most of Chelsea's previous central defensive signings like Silva and Koulibaly.

Another player on the lips of Gallas and other pundits is Rafael Leão - one of the many stars of the stacked Portugal front line at the World Cup.

The AC Milan forward has been impressive over the last season or two, lighting up Serie A and putting himself in the European shop window.

An imposing presence on the wing or up front, Leão can be a constant threat to opposition defences, however, the Premier League could be a tricky step for the 23-year-old.

"Raphael Leão is a good player," Gallas prefaced.

"What he has done for AC Milan is great. He is quick and good, technically, and has assisted the likes of (Olivier) Giroud. He could be good for Chelsea but the Premier League is a different League. In the Premier League, it is tough physically and you have to give your all for 90 minutes."

The Milan star may have to adapt if he were to swap Italy for England.

"I don’t know if he will suit the Premier League as defenders are stronger and do not give you as much space. He will struggle because of that. If he does move to Chelsea, he will have to change and give more."

  • Maguire and Rashford: not good enough...

"Manchester United is too big a club for Maguire, that is why he has not performed there," Gallas exclaimed.

United captain Harry Maguire has struggled for form this season and has carried a huge weight since his £80 million move from Leicester City.

He has been dropped for the majority of the season for his club but performed admirably for England this winter yet again.

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Links away have inevitably surfaced, with Spurs becoming possible suitors, however, Gallas isn't convinced.

"I’m not sure if Tottenham will want him at the back. They need defenders but Maguire would not be good for them. He is almost 30 years old and he does not have as much speed as others."

"The older Maguire gets, the less speed he will have. Tottenham should invest in players who are younger and who are the future. They should try to sign Gvardiol over Maguire."

Maguire's team-mate Marcus Rashford was another Englishman who shone on the world stage, reigniting his old form and even his career.

There have been rumours of him making a move away from his boyhood club, with links to Paris Saint-Germain surfacing every now and again.

Despite his upturn in form, Gallas doesn't believe his club form this year warrants a move.

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"Rashford to PSG will not happen. Marcus has not been good enough since the beginning of the season and has not shown how good he was when he first started playing for Man United. He was unbelievable, however now it is completely different. PSG already have players in that position so they do not need Rashford."

Manchester United play again on December 27th when they face Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, with the Premier League resuming on Boxing Day.

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