That Monday Petr Cech returned to full training after fracturing his skull in an horrific injury against Reading in October. He may be the world's best goalkeeper - but £50m? In answering a query on how he feels now having returned to action Cech offers an insight into that valuation.

"Against Wycombe (in the League Cup semi-final) I felt back to my best. I had the same feelings I had on the pitch before (the collision), " he says. But there's an addition: "In terms of physical strength, speed and ability I think I might be even better than I was before because I have been working so hard."

No wonder Mourinho stuck a few extra million on the price it would take to buy the goalkeeper who arrived for £7m from Rennes at the same time as the manager two-and-a-half years ago. It now appears Cech will stay longer at Chelsea than Mourinho. Both have deals that run until 2010 but, given the rift with Roman Abramovich, the Portuguese has decided to quit this summer and may be sacked in any case.

Speaking ahead of today's fourth round FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest, Cech speaks highly of his manager. "You need to feel the confidence of your manager and he's been giving me that confidence. For me it's the best moment of my career to have this manager on my side and trusting me."

But does he think that Mourinho will stay? "It's important to keep the best manager and best players at the club, " Cech says. "For me personally I'm only a player, I can only do my best on the pitch and it's not in my hands to change things at the club."

Cech has been missed and his absence has been felt as keenly as that of John Terry.

Coming back into the Chelsea side, does Cech sense a change? "The only difference is that in all the games before when I played, I had at least one central defender in front of me on the pitch, " he says of Chelsea's problems. "But with injuries and suspensions it has been difficult, psychologically as well, because we didn't have any (centrehalves) against Liverpool."

The 2-0 defeat at Liverpool was his comeback from what happened just 16 seconds into the game at Reading last autumn when he skidded across the turf to reach the ball and was struck on the head by the knee of Stephen Hunt. Cech remembers nothing of the controversial incident and doesn't want to dwell on it now - and certainly isn't interested in talking to the Irishman about it.

"I haven't spoken to him so I don't know what is his explanation, " Cech replies curtly.

With a metal plate inserted into his head and medical opinion claiming it may take up to three years for the bone to heal completely, it was feared Cech might be out for 12 months. He was determined to come back sooner. "I think it's just something you have to have, naturally, " he says of his mental-strength.

"When I'm injured all I care about is to do everything I can to get back as soon as possible. I had no doubts that I would come back."

He is still on medication to prevent epileptic fits and is not allowed to drive. Cech also has to wear a head-guard designed by Canterbury, a copmany who specialise in rugby equipment, until experts are satisfied there is no danger of further problems. Extra plastic polymer foam protection was added to cover areas of his skull weakened by the collision.

Cech admits there was pressure on him to return.

"Everyone wanted to see me in goal and see me as strong as before, " he says. He didn't feel that was the case at Liverpool, though he is adamant that he wasn't fearful of getting injured, being more worried about the six-point lead Manchester United hold.

"I think we have now gone through the difficult period, with injuries, and the gap is not bigger than it was before, " Cech maintains. "It has stayed six points and that's the main reason why we can be confident and look forward to the next games."

Cech believes that Andrei Shevchenko can now fire, claiming the striker suffered the same post-World Cup hangover that dogged Thierry Henry. "He, too, could not reach his level, but now he's back. Two games, two goals.

It's the same with Sheva."

Their problems pale next to the trauma suffered by Cech, who talks about the "destiny of injuries" and how it simply cannot be changed.

Such strength of spirit is what makes him the player he is - and one Mourinho believes is worth that £50m.