Vermaelen: I’m gunner play in pain
The 24-year-old feared he had fractured his leg against Aston Villa last month but played against Manchester United four days later despite feeling the effects of heavy bruising.
The Belgium defender still feels discomfort due to the injury but is determined to carry on playing, with the Champions League trip to Porto tomorrow night next on the agenda for Arsene Wenger’s men.
“It turned out that I could play against Manchester United, but after that game I had some more problems, so I went for another scan,” Vermaelen said.
“We could see then that there was a big bruise on the bone, and that’s all — so it is painful but can be controlled with medicine and when it is not broken, you can’t do too much wrong. It is not a big problem to play — yes it is still there and will take some time to go but it is not dangerous.”
Meanwhile Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech wants to stay at Stamford Bridge for another decade if he maintains his high standards and the form he has recaptured in the last month.
The 27-year-old has a contract until 2013 and, when asked about spending the next 10 years at the club, said: “If I stay fit, at least as I am now, then I’ll play as long as I ca.
“It all depends on how fit you stay and how well you play because suddenly you’re not as fast and your reaction is not the same. You can compensate it with a bit of experience, but there comes a point when you know it’s not going to be the same, so it depends how long this is going to take.”
Cech will travel to Italy next week for the first leg of the last-16 clash against Mourinho’s Inter Milan.
“For everyone linked with the club, I think it is going to be a special occasion (against Inter). I said before the draw that if the English and Italian media wanted a gift from Santa Claus it would be Chelsea versus Inter or Man United against AC Milan and, in the end, it did happen, which is perfect.”
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