I want to play without my helmet — Cech

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has revealed his desire to play without his helmet —but has been forbidden to do so by medical professionals.

The 33-year-old has worn protective headgear since 2006 after suffering a fractured skull during former club Chelsea’s trip to Reading.

Cech was ruled out of action for three months after a collision with Stephen Hunt.

Cech required emergency brain surgery and still wears his protective head guard nine years on from the incident.

He was rushed to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where it was discovered he had a depressed skull fracture.

He was then transferred to the specialist neurosurgical unit at Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, where two loose pieces of skull were lifted away from the brain and replaced with metal plates.

And while Cech accepts the safety reasons behind his headgear, the Czech Republic international says the protective helmet affects his hearing on the pitch. But there is nothing he can do about it due to insurance reasons.

“I would be more confident if I had it off. If you like it or not, the helmet affects your surroundings,” he told Tyden.

“You have your ears covered and it makes hearing worse.

“But the doctor has forbidden me to take off the helmet. If I did, I would not pay insurance.” — PA