Trevoh Chalobah has hit back at critics of Chelsea's dressing room, insisting the players have the winning mentality required to succeed after reaching the FA Cup final. The defender spoke out following accusations that the squad downed tools and contributed to Liam Rosenior's dismissal after a run of five straight Premier League defeats without scoring a goal.
Chalobah: Block out the noise
Speaking after Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds United, Chalobah said: "The criticism is part of it. When you don't win games, of course you're going to get criticism. For us, we just have to block out all the noise and trust in ourselves, speak between ourselves with communication and trusting our abilities."
He added that the squad had to "reset" after a difficult period, but their cup run proves they remain winners. Chelsea will face Manchester City in the final next month, aiming for their 17th FA Cup triumph.
Winning habits
Chalobah highlighted the club's history of reaching finals: "Another final. Last year we were in a final, and the year before. We have that mentality. It's good that we showed that today. We all knew the goal and knew what the goal was, and it's just to win no matter what."
He acknowledged the team's poor form but insisted their ability had not vanished: "It's still the same players that we had at the start of the season when we were flying. So it's not like we lose our abilities overnight. It's just obviously resetting and getting that feeling back and that mentality back."
Rosenior departure
Rosenior was sacked the day after Chelsea lost at Brighton, with no players publicly wishing him well. Chalobah admitted the players must take responsibility: "No matter what the manager does, it's difficult. You spend time with them, you work with them daily, every day. You have to adapt, you've got to reset again. For us, we can use that as an excuse but, at the end of the day, we've got to look at ourselves as players."
European ambition
With the FA Cup final secured, Chalobah stressed the importance of qualifying for Europe. "This is Chelsea Football Club. It's where we want to be and we have to do everything we can to get into Europe," he said. "For us it is just focusing on what we have. It's another five finals. We have four in the Premier League and obviously our final here. But for us, it's five finals. We have to go in there with the quality."
He concluded: "You take responsibility. Now until the end of the season we have nothing else, no other excuse. We just have to go out there and try and win our games."
