Cech tries to protect Chelsea rival Courtois
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has revealed that team-mate Petr Cech has advised him on how to protect himself in the Premier League after he suffered a head injury in the 2-0 win over Arsenal earlier this month.
Cech has played in protective headwear since he suffered a fractured skull in a game against Reading in 2006.
Courtois, who took over from Cech as first-choice Chelsea goalkeeper this season, said his colleague told him to lead with his back or shoulders when challenging for the ball.
“Petr sent me a message after the Arsenal game and later he told me that in the Premier League maybe some strikers really go against the keepers,” Courtois said. “He said that sometimes it is better to protect your head to go down quicker and with your back or your shoulder protecting your head.
“That was a tip he gave me and it’s good because, when you come into a new league, sometimes things are different than in Spain [where he had played on loan at Atletico Madrid].
“Is it more physical here? Yeah. In Spain there is more organisation, maybe more football, while here maybe some teams are going quicker with the long ball and rushing it to the front.
“But it depends on the team you are playing against. I think the difference is maybe it is more physical.”
Courtois returned to action as Chelsea continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
He had suffered the head injury in a collision with Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez, and was taken off and replaced by Cech 13 minutes after the incident before being sent to hospital for tests.
Courtois later praised the work of the Chelsea club doctor after some had questioned the response to his injury.
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