Romeo Lavia has opened up about the "tough to hear" criticism directed at Chelsea's players this season, as the young midfielder admits the allegations that the squad downed tools have stung.

It's been a challenging campaign for the Blues, both on and off the pitch. Sitting ninth in the Premier League table, Chelsea's only hope of European football next season rests on Saturday's FA Cup final. The team is currently winless in their last seven league outings, including a painful run of five consecutive defeats without scoring—a stretch that ultimately cost Liam Rosenior his job.

During this rough patch, accusations surfaced that Chelsea's players lacked commitment and had simply given up. Lavia, now in his third season at Stamford Bridge after his £58m move from Southampton in 2023, didn't shy away from addressing the criticism. "To say we don't listen to it would be a lie," the 22-year-old told The Standard. "It's been tough to hear."

Injuries have plagued Lavia's time at Chelsea, limiting him to just 43 appearances across all competitions—and he's yet to complete a full 90 minutes. This season has been no different, though he's managed 21 appearances as he works to put his fitness issues behind him.

There is some positive news heading into the FA Cup final, however. Reports suggest captain Reece James is ready to start after playing his first minutes since March as a second-half substitute against Liverpool last weekend. With the right formation, James could line up alongside Lavia as Chelsea looks to salvage their season with silverware.