EXCLUSIVE: ‘It’s a good pressure’ – Rehenesh TP on battle with Phurba Lachenpa at Mumbai City FC

New Delhi: Walking right into a team that has one of several best players within the country may be a challenge infrequently. But for Rehenesh TP, it’s a ‘good pressure’. The 31-year-old from Kerala, who last played for Jamshedpur FC, signed for defending champions Mumbai City FC last month before the upcoming season of Indian Super League, which starts on September thirteen. Mumbai City FC start up their ISL 2024-25 campaign against Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Friday in Kolkata.

One of a few the most very important skillful goalkeepers in Indian football currently, Rehenesh comes right into a side that already has Phurba Lachenpa – the winner of the ISL Golden Glove last season. “It’s always a healthy competition,” Rehenesh told India.com in an exclusive interaction. One of a few the most young and finest goalkeepers within the circuit, Lachenpa played a very important role in Mumbai City FC’s title-winning campaign last season with his extra special shot-stopping abilities making the Islanders’ line of defense solid. Rehenesh knows it’s going to be a tricky battle for him for a spot within the first XI.

“It’s good for me to boot as Phurba because when there may be someone which is there to make it more straightforward to, to fight along with for the spot and always keep you on toes and in good condition and perform well. It’s a perfect pressure, to be honest. Phurba is a in point of fact perfect goalkeeper as he won the golden glove last year,” he added.

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Why Mumbai City FC?

Having started his career with in 2012 with ONGC, Rehenesh has come a prolonged way within the last 12 years playing in I-League prior to coming into ISL. From playing for East Bengal to Kerala Blasters, the shot-stopper has one of several best clubs to reveal for in his resume.

Asked about his move to Mumbai City FC, Rehenesh stated it became time for him for fresh challenges. “To be honest, all in my career, I played in mid-table clubs. Everyone knows, Mumbai City FC have always been a contender for the championship and had a correct plan and structure. That’s what attracted me a few the most. I suspect it’s time for me in my career to step up and accept the new challenge. As a team, we are preparing well for the season to start up and let’s see how it goes,” he said.

Being a senior player, Rehenesh can even be guilty to guide the young people within the team – specifically within the mental side of things. “There are a collection of young talents at Mumbai City FC. Infrequently they would perchance need guidance relating to handling pressure which they didn’t have prior to.

“In that case, I can even help them as to how you may deal with bad times because football is always fun from outside but within it’s up and down. That’s where I can even help them. Technical wise, the young people are always better than us but on the mental side, I may be helpful to them,” added Rehenesh.

‘I don’t have in mind it anymore’

In spite of being thought about one of several consistent goalkeepers within the circuit for over a decade, Rehenesh never got to don the Indian jersey. He became often which may also be sometimes called for the national camp twice in his career in 2017 (under Stephen Constantine) and 2022 (Igor Stimac).
The former East Bengal famous person doesn’t have in mind Indian selection anymore. Instead he specializes in his job at hand.

“As a player, what I can do is perform and assist my team. It’s the coach and selector’s job to percent out out the team. To be honest I don’t have in mind it (Indian team selection) anymore. I've always wanted to play for the country and still would really prefer to, but these days it doesn’t bother me tons. If I get a possibility, I may definitely go with all my heart but if I don’t, I may do what I do,” Rehenesh signed off.

At some point of his illustrious career, he has made 204 appearances across domestic competitions in India and kept 59 clean sheets within the tactic. Having played with one of several head teams in India, Rehenesh went on to win the ISL League Winners’ Shield with Jamshedpur FC within the 2021-22 season. The Kerala native became a significant cog for the Men of Steel, keeping six clean sheets in 20 appearances that season.