Petr Cech says he has no reminiscence of the horrific head damage he suffered in 2008 that pressured him to put on protecting headgear for greater than half of his profession – and that that reality most likely performed to his benefit.
Cech was caught within the head by Stephen Hunt’s knee in an October 2006 Premier League conflict with Studying on the Madejski Stadium and required emergency surgical procedure for a depressed cranium fracture that medical doctors later revealed had almost killed him.
After ten days in hospital, Cech returned him, and three months later made his return to motion in opposition to Liverpool, sporting his now-distinctive headgear.
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Petr Cech: “If you happen to do not bear in mind, you do not have flashbacks”
“The final reminiscence I’ve that day [against Reading] is the handshake,” Cech advised FourFourTwo. “I assumed I remembered the environment of the stadium, the dressing room, however once we went again in 2007 I didn’t recognise a factor. It was like I’d by no means been there.
“I’ve no recollection of the particular incident, both. That has most likely been to my benefit, as in case you don’t bear in mind, you don’t have flashbacks whenever you’re on the pitch. Afterwards, I by no means had any issues diving at individuals’s ft or going into one-on-one conditions – I simply performed as if the damage had by no means occurred.
“Possibly that’s part of the rationale why I used to be by no means scared about coming again: as a result of I don’t actually bear in mind something.”
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Cech earlier than having to put on head safety (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
“Forward of the Liverpool recreation, I feel I’d had solely two coaching periods with the group. Up till that time, I used to be coaching alone as a result of I couldn’t threat a collision.
“I feel I’d been cleared by the surgeon to start out coaching once more a few days beforehand, however I’d educated so onerous alone for the final month that I felt on prime of my recreation.
“I’d been suggested to take day off and wait till the tip of the season, then go once more from pre-season. However I mentioned I felt prepared, the surgeon cleared me, and the membership had been like, ‘OK, if that’s what you wish to do, then let’s go’.
“I feel it might have been much more comfy enjoying with out the headguard, as a result of your senses are lined – your hair and pores and skin receptors, your ears. But when I bought hit once more, there was a giant probability that I’d undergo one other break, so I couldn’t threat that.
“After such a giant trauma in your mind, you’re additionally susceptible to concussions. I had some concussions enjoying with the headguard, so I can’t think about what it might have been like to not put on it.
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