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Christian Eriksen at Brentford FC
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Matt Dunham/AP
Christian Eriksen does not want any preferential treatment when returning to the Premier League after suffering from heart disease.
»I told my teammates on the first day that there was no reason to treat me with kid gloves.
Otherwise I wouldn't need to be on the football field anymore," said Eriksen of FC Brentford in an interview broadcast on Sky on Friday.
"If I wasn't 100 percent fit, then I wouldn't be taking part in this adventure either."
All tests of his heart were positive, said the 29-year-old, noting that he had received a lot of advice from doctors.
Eriksen also spoke to ex-Ajax Amsterdam team-mate Daley Blind, who encouraged him to trust the implanted defibrillator and the technology behind it.
Some time ago, Blind himself had one of these implants inserted.
The 109-time Denmark international had returned to the Premier League on the last day of the transfer window.
Eriksen had previously had to undergo extensive medical examinations at newly promoted Brentford.
He suddenly collapsed on June 12, 2021 during the European Championship game against Finland in front of his home crowd in Copenhagen - his heart stopped without warning.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank said Eriksen is "bubbling" with anticipation but will not play against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
It would be too soon to use it.
Coaches Frank and Eriksen had met in youth football many years ago.
"I think he's fine, he's training well and he looks like the good player we know," said Frank, who also announced that Eriksen should get the first minutes of a friendly next Monday.
jan/dpa