Xtra Time Web Desk: The Champions League victory by Chelsea on Saturday was a culmination of a superb team effort. The Blues rode on a Kai Havertz’s goal to beat Premier League winners Manchester City at Porto. It was their second Champions League title. Even more astonishing is the fact that the West London club under Thomas Tuchel has beaten Man City consecutive three times this season. It was a master stroke from the club owner Roman Abrahamovich to get Tuchel on board as he was quite impressive with his tactics.
On this moment of success, one cannot forget the role played by an Indian as well who looked after the mental toughness of the footballers at Stamford Bridge. Kochi’s Vinay Menon, an MPhil in Sports Psychology has been associated with the West London club since 2008. Menon has been working as a wellness consultant and mind strategist for the Blues.
Vinay once visited the family of Roman Abramovich to impart his knowledge about the wellness of mind including breathing techniques. The Russian family was so impressed with Menon that he was offered a role in the senior team. It was a big break for Vinay as he was never involved into a football club. The decision as it turned out has been a career defining one.
The first couple of years were very challenging for Vinay. But once he was given a role with the first team he hasn’t had to look back since. Today, he has worked with almost all the big names who have been at the club in the last 12-13 years including the likes of John Terry, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard as well as managers like Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and so on.
Vinay’s sessions on ‘Adhyatma Vidya’ or the science of the self, have become an integral part of the Chelsea footballer’s behind-the-scenes routine. He has also developed a programme called ARFA – Awareness, Recovery, Focus and Achievement, which helps channelize his subjects’ negative thoughts and worries through a positive outlet. The entire football crazy city of Kochi will be basking in glory to see their own son playing a part in the success of Europe’s top football clubs.