I was Chelsea's secret weapon in the brilliant Roman Abramovich era after a career change – the coaches and Didier Drogba loved me
Roman Abramovich's reign at Chelsea marked the club's most successful era, but Vinay Menon's role in their success is largely unknown.
Indian-born Menon taught wellness classes for celebrities and billionaires at a Dubai hotel until 2008.
But that year his life took a turn.
After the father of AbramovichDasha's then-wife booked a session and was recommended to the entire Abramovich family.
The Russians were so impressed that they offered him an opportunity at Cobham.
Menon, who originally knew nothing about football, worked for the club for 13 years as the Blues' welfare coach, assisting big stars including then-captain. John Terry and Didier Drogba.
Join talkSPORT Hawkbee and Jacobs ShowMenon was asked what the players thought of him when he arrived at the training ground.
“At first they thought I was teaching voodoo or something,” he joked. “They allowed me to go to Chelsea to see how the structure develops, how football operations develop, how treatment occurs.
“For the first six months I just sat (watching). In football it is very orthodox, nobody wants to change anything.”
But he was the Blues' iconic striker. Drug who got the ball rolling and made the players welcome Menon's practices.
He continued: “I still remember that I was having lunch in the canteen when Didier came and sat near me.
“I was wondering, 'What do you do? I've heard about you, what do you do? All these things. He was having some problems and asked me, 'Can you do something for me?' He said, 'Will it work?'
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“I said, 'Of course it will work.' “I always used to say there’s a money-back guarantee, just as a joke.”
Soon, Terry, Frank Lampard and the rest of the Chelsea players came to him to participate in wellness, yoga and relaxation exercises.
All Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benítez, Jose MourinhoAntonio Conte and finally Thomas Tuchel He also worked with Menon.
When asked how management reacted to him, he commented: “I worked very closely with management. I even trained the managers as well.
“I always train the best managers, because what I always believe is that if the leader has a clear vision it is much easier (to achieve success). 90 percent of the managers obeyed my orders.
“They believed in me. But maybe my character, they always said I was a wellness guru, but I was never a threat to anyone. I got everyone together.”
During Menon's time at the club, Chelsea won three Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.
Asked if he felt part of that team, he said: “Yes, always. Chelsea was always like family. When I worked I always received strong support from my colleagues, especially those at the top.”
Abramovich was forced to sell the club following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the arrival of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022 marked the end of Menon's time at The Bridge.
Menon was part of a great selection of staff at Chelsea, especially in the medical department.
He then went to work for the Belgium team with Roberto Martínez for the 2022 World Cup.
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Now, after a career break, he resides in the Middle East and India.
“I would like to see what is happening in that region (with football),” he added. “The Premier League is the best league in the world and it continues to grow.
“If we can push it further in that part of the world, I can create a bridge between these two.”
