Was Crocodile much stronger in his younger days?

[SSJ2]

Stronger than even his Marineford self? He was in the New World and even made an attempt on Whitebeard.

 

[Papasmurf]

Stronger than even his Marineford self? He was in the New World and even made an attempt on Whitebeard.

Until it's confirmed he got rusty like Moria I think it's just a small possibility. Crocodile seems to have some of Roshi's plot-oids going on so his power seems to change with his mindset

 

[Future Warrior]

He might have been a bit out of practice, but it's implied that his DF mastery only improved over the years.

It might be easier to think of it likes this. If Luffy only had less than 1% chance of beating Crocodile at that point in the story, he defied all odds and made it come true. Like he said against Kaido, he has infinite chances with anything.