Chelsea defender promotes: 'Club World Cup will be bigger than the Champions League'

The 22-year-old Levi Colwill made his bold and headline-grabbing statement shortly after Chelsea’s convincing 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the newly expanded Club World Cup.

The win was significant for the club not only because of the silverware but also because Chelsea became the first team in history to win the tournament in its new, larger format a reimagined competition that FIFA aims to position as a global showcase, rivaling the traditional prestige of the UEFA Champions League.

“I said at the start of this tournament that our goal was to win it, and people looked at me like I was crazy,” Colwill said when reflecting on the journey through the competition. “But here we are, lifting the trophy. So I’m going to say exactly the same thing now as we head into the Premier League and the Champions League our goal is to win everything we can. That’s the mentality of this squad.”

Colwill’s confidence is not unfounded. Despite his young age, he has already built an impressive CV. He was part of the England U21 squad that won the European Championship, showcasing his defensive maturity on an international stage. With Chelsea, he also captured the UEFA Conference League, further adding to his list of honors. Yet, for Colwill, the Club World Cup surpasses them all. “The World Cup is the most important trophy I’ve ever won,” he stated without hesitation. “Being world champions at club level, representing not just the badge but the entire Premier League and England globally that means everything to me.”

The young defender went a step further with a provocative claim: “I think the Club World Cup will become bigger than the Champions League, and we were the first team to win this tournament in its new format. That’s history, and we’ve written it.”

Colwill also addressed the perception that Chelsea are still somewhat underestimated in European football. “I do feel a bit of underappreciation from the public,” he admitted. “But that’s okay. Wins like this are statements. We’ve shown what we’re capable of, and if we keep collecting trophies, the recognition will follow. People will have no choice but to respect what we’re building here.”

Indeed, Chelsea will soon have the opportunity to back up Colwill’s words. With the Club World Cup in the bag, their focus shifts back to domestic and European competition. In just over a month, the Blues will kick off the new Premier League season, starting with a London derby against Crystal Palace. It will mark the beginning of a campaign where expectations are sky-high, not least because of the confidence exuded by players like Colwill.

Last season, Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League a respectable position but still fifteen points adrift of champions Liverpool. Manchester City and Arsenal also ended the season above Chelsea, meaning there is still ground to make up if the club is to reclaim its place at the summit of English football. However, their fourth-place finish secured direct qualification to the Champions League group stage, where they’ll be joined by fellow group stage participants PSV and Ajax, highlighting the competition’s diverse and competitive field.

Chelsea’s ambitions, however, are clear: they are not content with merely participating. The club’s investment in youth, alongside key experienced figures, is part of a broader strategy to return to the pinnacle of both English and European football. The win at the Club World Cup is being seen internally as a springboard a proof of concept that this squad, led by an increasingly assertive group of young talents like Colwill, can compete and win on the biggest stages.

Whether the Club World Cup will indeed eclipse the Champions League in prestige remains to be seen, but for players like Colwill, it has already set a new benchmark of success. With domestic, European, and now global competition in their sights, Chelsea's next chapter promises to be defined by both ambition and a hunger for recognition that the club and its emerging leaders are eager to claim.