Petr Cech has praised Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta following the Blues’ Club World Cup win as the former goalkeeper claims the defender ‘never disappoints’.

Kai Havertz scored a penalty in extra time to see Chelsea beat Palmeiras to Club World Cup glory.

The win means the west Londoners have now won every trophy possible during Roman Abramovich’s reign and Azpilicueta has lifted every one available to him since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

Despite the defender’s clean sweep, Neil Warnock launched a scathing attack, slating Azpilicueta’s abilities, but Cech came out in support of his former team-mate.

The Chelsea legend praised Azpilicueta for reaching the achievement after a tough journey to the top at Stamford Bridge.

‘Azpi has now won everything, and that is an amazing achievement. All the credit goes to him,’ he said on the club’s official website.

‘When he arrived in 2012, he came first to compete for his spot. He had a long-term injury the year before, so he had had a difficult time before he came to us.

‘He had to start from scratch fighting for his place.’

The Spanish defender has made over 450 appearances for the Blues since his move from Marseille in 2012.

Despite struggling to nail down his place after first arriving at Stamford Bridge, Azpilicueta has gone on to win the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Club World Cup with Chelsea.

Cech hailed the Spaniard for his hard work both on and off the pitch, owing his success to his dedication.

‘He is one of those players who never disappoints you. He works hard, he does everything,’ he said.

‘He is an honest player on the pitch, and off the pitch he works hard. You know you can rely on him in any situation. That is the key to his success.

‘No matter which manager was in charge, they all knew they could count on him, his attitude, and his qualities.

‘Now he has the huge reward of lifting these trophies as a captain.’

Cech’s tribute to the 32-year-old follows Warnock’s scathing comments of Azpilicueta.

Earlier this week, Warnock told talkSPORT: ‘I think it goes two ways to be honest. I think Azpilicueta has been a very fortunate lad to be a at a club like Chelsea. I don’t think he is a great defender.

‘Sometimes in football you need a bit of luck and I think he’s had a bit of luck at the right time and in the right place. That’s what you need in football, you need a bit of luck to be successful.’

He doubled down on his criticism later in the week, although admitted his ‘bitterness’ over Azpilicueta’s offside equaliser in a 2-1 Chelsea win in 2019 – that led to Cardiff’s Premier League relegation – skewed his opinion of the defender.

Agains speaking on talkSPORT, Warnock said: ‘I think he’s an excellent wing-back, I’m not sure he’s a top class defender.

‘Listen, I don’t forgive him for being offside for that goal at Cardiff, that’s what it is… it’ll be the bitterness underneath.’

Azpilicueta’s former Chelsea team-mates John Terry and Cesc Fabregas came out to protect the defender on social media.

Terry responded to Warnock’s comments by tweeting: ‘Is this a wind up?’ while Fabregas used a series of comical emojis to sum up what he thought about what the 73-year-old said.

Now, it appears Cech has also come out in support of the Chelsea captain as he sang his praises.