Peter Crouch claims Chelsea deserve more respect for Club World Cup glory

According to The Chelsea Chronicle, Peter Crouch believes Chelsea’s recent success under Enzo Maresca has not received the appreciation it truly deserves — particularly their triumph in the Club World Cup. 

While the Blues have made remarkable strides since Maresca took charge just over a year ago, Crouch feels that the football world has been far too slow to recognize the scale of their achievement. Last season, Chelsea not only lifted two major trophies but also secured a top-four Premier League finish — a testament to Maresca’s tactical discipline and the team’s growing maturity. Yet, as Crouch points out, one of their biggest accomplishments continues to fly under the radar.

The former England striker, speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, praised the Blues for their dominant performance in the global competition, where they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final to be crowned Club World Cup champions.

“No, they don’t get anywhere near enough respect for that, really,” Crouch admitted when asked whether Chelsea received enough credit for their triumph. “It’s a brand new tournament and no one knows what the hell it was. So they don’t, I mean, it’s not like a Champions League winner.”

Crouch’s comments shine a light on a debate that has divided fans and pundits alike. While some view the Club World Cup as a less prestigious competition compared to Europe’s elite tournaments, others see it as a vital step in establishing global supremacy.

Crouch believes that time will bring greater respect to the expanded competition. “I think the respect, I think the longer the competition goes on, it will gain a lot of respect.

But there was a lot of teams, top teams, not in it, right? You can’t be world champions if all the best teams aren’t in it,” he added.

Despite that perspective, there’s no denying that Chelsea’s campaign was impressive. Maresca’s side treated the competition with utmost seriousness — motivated not only by the financial benefits but also by the desire to make a statement under the club’s new era.

Their commanding 3-0 win over PSG in the final showcased their strength, depth, and tactical identity, hallmarks of a team that’s beginning to rediscover its European pedigree.

However, the aftermath of that summer tournament came with consequences. The extended campaign and fixture congestion have taken their toll, with Chelsea suffering a spate of injuries early in the 2025/26 season.

Still, their resilience remains evident, and Maresca’s calm leadership has steadied the ship during challenging times.

By claiming two trophies last season, including the Club World Cup, Maresca joined an exclusive list of managers who have lifted silverware in the Chelsea dugout.

From the days of José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Roberto Di Matteo to Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, and Thomas Tuchel — Chelsea’s managerial history is rich with winners. Maresca’s name now sits comfortably among them, and if the trajectory continues, he could yet become a defining figure of the post-Abramovich era.