Fran Kirby: Ex-England midfielder’s journey back after heart illness

A teenage Kirby, who tragically lost her mother to a brain haemorrhage, has been “much more careful” about her health since her illness.

Since pericarditis can occur after a viral infection such as a cold or flu, he takes extra care with rest and recovery.

“Obviously I got sick and came back too early to play and then it attacked a certain part of my body,” Kirby said.

“I haven’t been feeling well for a while, but I attribute that to… I’m a football player, I’m going to get tired, I train every day, I go to the gym, I’m going to get tired.”

Kirby emerged as a youth player at Reading, a hugely talented striker who managed to score goals per game, and was capped for England and played in the World Cup for his hometown club before joining Chelsea in July 2015.

Lane’s recovery from slump was carefully managed and Kirby returned with a vengeance the following season – scoring 16 goals and providing a further 11 assists in just 18 league games for Chelsea. These performances earned him the PFA’s Players’ Player of the Year award.

These days, he is especially careful if he feels that his body needs rest.

“I can’t say I’m scared, but I’m aware of it. I don’t want to experience that pain in my chest again. It was terrible,” said Kirby, who is in his second season with Brighton.

“So whenever I get sick. [When people say] I say ‘Fran isn’t here again’ because yes, I’ve been through this too. I don’t want to experience this again. I need to let my body heal.”

But despite taking a more measured approach to his football, Kirby, nicknamed ‘Mini Messi’ by former England boss Mark Sampson, is still feeling the pressure.

“Everyone expects a certain level when I play,” he said. “And that’s part and parcel of playing for Chelsea, playing for England and winning all of this.

“You know, every time someone turns on the TV or goes to a game, they expect Fran Kirby to be this Fran Kirby. Fran Kirby can’t have a day off.”