Chelsea may have lifted the Club World Cup trophy in the United States, but not everyone is placing much value on the achievement, most notably former Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
Speaking to Portuguese outlets A Bola and Canal 11, Mourinho praised Cole Palmer for his standout performances during the tournament, but questioned the overall significance of the title.
“This Club World Cup highlighted a guy who had a great season at Chelsea, Cole Palmer,” Mourinho said.
“But this run to the semi-finals reminded me of every time I went to the US for pre-season with Real Madrid or Inter. It reminded me of those friendly matches we played there. So I think this World Cup title is only important for Chelsea, as they’ll sell a lot of shirts with the logo there.”
Mourinho’s remarks come despite Chelsea defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the final, capping off an impressive run under Enzo Maresca’s youthful management.
The new format of the Club World Cup, hosted in the US, has received mixed reviews. Some fans were slow to warm to the tournament, particularly as English and Spanish champions Liverpool and Barcelona were not involved. However, enthusiasm grew as the knockout rounds progressed—especially with Brazilian clubs adding flair and unpredictability to the competition.
While Maresca’s side earned plaudits for their performances, including from across social media, Mourinho’s comments reflect a scepticism shared by some high-profile figures. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp had earlier criticised the timing of the tournament, citing fixture congestion after a grueling 2024–25 season.
Despite the criticism, Chelsea’s triumph proved extremely profitable. The club earned around £84.7 million ($113.7 million) in total—£21.3 million as a guaranteed participation fee, and a further £62.7 million for their results throughout the tournament.
The prize money could significantly influence Chelsea’s transfer plans this summer. The Blues have already been linked with RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons as they prepare for the 2025–26 campaign, which includes a return to the Champions League.