Exclusive: Rehenesh TP on Kerala Football, New Dreams at Jamshedpur, being 'Lucky' and the 'Mistake' at East Bengal

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If you are in Kerala, and you have an appetite for some Malabar spice, you ought to visit Kozhikode, the ancient Calicut, where Vasco da Gama first set foot in 1498. As we often read in the history books, Calicut is also a hub of spices and home to authentic Malabar dishes.

And from Kozhikode, hails Rehenesh Thumbirumbu Paramba (Rehenesh TP), the current number one custodian of ISL outfit Jamshedpur FC.

Rehenesh resembles his place, kind of straightforward, who loves to show his true self and speaks from the heart, much like those spicy Malabar dishes in the beach area of Calicut, you can either take it, or you can't!

We had a chat with Rehenesh recently, where he opened up about various things. He spoke on his East Bengal days, shed light on Kerala Football and also opened up on the current situation in Jamshedpur FC.

On the New Season and Expectations at Jamshedpur FC

After a dismal last season, where the Red Miners finished 10th in the ISL table, Rehenesh thinks the new season can bring certain positive changes and that they are looking forward to a better outing.

"We are looking forward to a good season. New coach, new philosophy and new formation. Everything is new and the team mentality has changed. We are trying to build something new, it will take time to adapt, but looking forward to the new season."

"My goal is simple, that is to do better than last season. I don't compare myself with others. I compare myself only with myself. I am trying to be the best for the team, that's all," Rehenesh says.

On Kerala Football and being 'Lucky'

Football in Kerala is synonymous with life. God's own Country knows how to live life and the people down there definitely know how to kick a ball.

From Kasargod to Trivandrum, the craze of football in the tiny yet beautiful state is absolutely palpable. You will see people playing football across the coastal beaches from Varkala to Kannur, maidans which are designed for local football across the state.

The local Kerala leagues are played across the length and breadth of the state. There is a massive impact of the local Kerala football in the stars who have come out of Kerala to play professional football at national and international levels. And make no mistake, these games are often so intense and they generally attract thousands of crowds.

And Rehenesh clears it. He says the abundance of talent in those local leagues is massive and he is one of them, who was lucky to be found from there.

"As an outsider for you guys, believe me, there are a lot of unseen talents in Kerala. I am saying that because I was one of them, and by luck, I got where I am now. There are many players better than me or any other professional player from Kerala. And we know, all of us Mallu (Malayali) players agree on the same," he says to MyKhel.

"If you go out in the evening, and you go 5 to 10 kilometres in the sub-urban area, you will see various grounds. Those are not the best grounds, but muddy ones. But you will see people playing barefoot, if you go to the beach, you will see people playing football. Even in the mountains they play football," he added.

But Rehenesh says the lack of clubs from Kerala has been hampering them, and hopes the current Kerala state league which is emerging will serve as a conveyor belt for producing talents.

A mistake with East Bengal

Rehenesh has previously played for East Bengal and he had a topsy-turvy time at the Kolkata club. The custodian was involved in some unpleasant moments during his time with the Red and Gold Brigade.

We asked about whether playing at Jamshedpur FC makes it easy because of the lack of pressure from the fans, but the player says the fans only deserve the best out of all players. And he also admits he would have tackled things differently now.

"Fans deserve to be demanding. I had a bad experience when I was at East Bengal because I was immature at that time and couldn't handle the pressure. I reacted in a way that I was not supposed to, and I regret doing that. Wish I could go back and change things. But that is the past, the present is Jamshedpur and that's all that matters.

"The passion of the Jamshedpur fans is the same as Kolkata fans. We love to play at the stadium. The energy from the crowd here is fantastic," he continues.

Rehenesh has started this season with a superb outing against East Bengal in the first match of the ISL 2023-24 season, where he kept a clean sheet and earned his team an important point on the road.

The Idolized Goalkeepers

Rehenesh, being a goalkeeper, has grown up watching and idolizing many European greats. And the Jamshedpur custodian says Spain's Iker Casillas will always be his number one, followed by Italy's Gianluigi Buffon and Germany's Manuel Neuer.

We signed off with Rehenesh's favourite song, which is Ethu Kari Raavilum from the film Bangalore Days.

The 30-year-old has found his home in Jamshedpur for the last three seasons. After brief stints with the likes of Northeast United and Kerala Blasters, the Flatlets of Jamshedpur FC has been the abode for the Kerala-born, and despite a difficult last season, he is beaming with the hope for a brighter future.