An ex-Chelsea player has revealed that he was “three weeks from death” after a missed blood clot almost ravaged his heart and body.
David Lee used to play as a defender for the Premier League team.
He stayed for 16 years until he decided to retire in search of a less eventful life.
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But his health had other plans for him, as the 55-year-old was diagnosed with a ‘crater-sized’ stomach tumour.
He underwent treatment and was given the all-clear in October 2020, though had to remain an outpatient for regular check-ups.
And it was during these that something even more horrifying was discovered.
“There was a huge clot in my heart,” David, who lives in Bath, told Need To Know.
David’s stomach tumour. (Picture: Jam Press)
David’s stitches. (Picture: Jam Press)
“I felt numb and sick to my stomach when they first told me.
“I had no symptoms at all – but if I had left it another three weeks, I wouldn’t be here today.”
David, who counts himself “extremely lucky” to have found the clot when he did, says the cause was due to narrowing of his arteries.
He was offered open-heart surgery, though there was an eight month wait list on the NHS.
Instead, he went privately, going through the triple bypass operation in February 2025.
And it was all at the expense of Chelsea FC.
He said: “When I told them what was going on, they were shocked.
“They called me and said they’d cover the bill.
“I was totally overwhelmed by their decision.
“It was such a lovely thing to do, as they didn’t need to do it.
“But I’m regarded as family – as are they to me.”
The surgery, in total, cost £28,000.
David said: “Emotionally, it was tough.
“I didn’t know if I was going to wake up after the surgery.
“But when I woke up, I was relieved.
“There were tubes in my chest and a line of stitches across my sternum, but I felt a sense of gratitude.”
After a quicker-than-anticipated recovery, David went to visit his football family in April at a game between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspurs to celebrate.
He now takes prescribed tablets to monitor his heart, as well as going to regular check-ups.
David recently completed a charity bike ride from Saltford to Stamford Bridge to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and Chelsea Past Players Trust – with over £7,265 donated.
The footballer added: “I feel much better in myself and like life has given me a second chance.
“My advice is to always get checked regularly and if you feel unwell or have any symptoms, such as shortness of breath or pain in the chest, go to the doctor immediately.
“I didn’t get any symptoms, though I urge people not to put it off.
“It might be too late otherwise.
“Recovery has given me time to reflect.
“I don’t want this chapter of my life to be defined by surgery, but by what I chose to do with my second chance.”
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