Christian Eriksen says there is no reason he cannot return to the Premier League at the same high level as he left it before his collapse as the Dane prepares for his Brentford debut.
The attacking midfielder has been training with the Bees this week as he prepares to make a professional return following the cardiac arrest he suffered on the pitch at Euro 2020 in June last year.
Eriksen even feels he may be fitter than before the incident given the individual training he has been doing before signing his deal with Thomas Frank’s side, who face Crystal Palace this weekend.
Despite the questions over what sort of player will return when the 29-year-old steps out once again, the former Tottenham man is confident of hitting his usual high standards.
“I won’t change my style of play,” Eriksen said. “To get back to the level I will do everything I can to get back. I have had the time to be disciplined for the last six months, to do extras so even now maybe I am in a better condition than before, it’s just the football missing. I feel like me so [I] don’t see a reason why I can’t get back to the same level.”
Eriksen is hopeful of being available for selection in the near future, when he will become the first player to feature in the Premier League wearing an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, a device which shocks the heart to restore rhythm if the wearer suffers a cardiac arrest.
“I’m not far off, it is difficult to put a date on it when it is going to happen,” Eriksen told BBC Sport.
“From what I have heard of I will be the first with an ICD playing in the Premier League. I don’t really have any scared feelings about it, I don’t feel my ICD so if it gets hit I know it is safe enough.
“I am not scared of the challenges ahead and the bullies in the game.”
The Bees face a Palace side this weekend who have won just one of their last seven League games following the midweek draw at Norwich.
Despite their form, the Eagles squad are encouraged by the progress under Patrick Vieira.
“You can see every match that we are dominating games a lot better,” said Tyrick Mitchell. “As a player and a team that is what you want to do, you don’t want to be on the back foot.
“It is good how he is managing us and how we are playing at the moment.”
