Petr Cech says he has no reminiscence of the horrific head harm he suffered in 2008 that pressured him to put on protecting headgear for greater than half of his profession – and that that reality in all probability 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 practically killed him.
After ten days in hospital, Cech returned him, and three months later made his return to motion towards Liverpool, sporting his now-distinctive headgear.
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Petr Cech: “When you do not keep in mind, you do not have flashbacks”
“The final reminiscence I’ve that day [against Reading] is the handshake,” Cech informed FourFourTwo. “I assumed I remembered the environment of the stadium, the dressing room, however after 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 in all probability been to my benefit, as in case you don’t keep in mind, you don’t have flashbacks while you’re on the pitch. Afterwards, I by no means had any issues diving at folks’s toes or going into one-on-one conditions – I simply performed as if the harm 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 keep in mind something.”
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Cech earlier than having to put on head safety (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
“Forward of the Liverpool recreation, I believe I’d had solely two coaching classes with the crew. Up till that time, I used to be coaching by myself as a result of I couldn’t threat a collision.
“I believe I’d been cleared by the surgeon to begin coaching once more a few days beforehand, however I’d educated so laborious by myself for the final month that I felt on high of my recreation.
“I’d been suggested to take day off and wait till the top 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’.
Cech’s headguard grew to become synonymous (Picture credit score: Alamy)
“I believe it might have been way more snug 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 acquired hit once more, there was a giant likelihood that I might undergo one other break, so I couldn’t threat that.
“After such a giant trauma in your mind, you’re additionally liable 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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