Kerr’s standing at Chelsea was unquestionable earlier than she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) harm whereas at her peak in January 2024.
It took her greater than 18 months to recuperate and he or she remains to be returning to full health as Chelsea battle to fulfill expectations this season.
Off the pitch, Kerr has endured difficulties too. She was discovered not responsible of inflicting racially aggravated harassment in opposition to a Metropolitan Police officer in 2025 – the results of a court docket case which performed out within the public eye and brought on controversy.
That led to calls in her house nation to strip her of the Australia captaincy, whereas she stepped out of the limelight in England.
It has additionally been a interval of change for Kerr as she obtained married to former West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis and so they have a son, who was born in Might.
In her absence, Chelsea went unbeaten domestically and gained the treble in supervisor Sonia Bompastor’s debut marketing campaign, but it surely has not gone to plan this yr.
Accidents – notably in attacking positions – gamers departing the membership and performances not being as much as scratch imply Chelsea are set to overlook out on the Girls’s Tremendous League title and are out of the Girls’s Champions League.
Kerr has struggled to regain her place within the beginning XI regardless of this, taking part in simply 444 minutes within the WSL this season.
She has made 15 appearances within the league, however solely began two video games, whereas she netted three targets in three begins in Europe.
Bompastor has fewer choices up entrance, with USA striker Catarina Macario becoming a member of San Diego Wave, and Aggie Beever-Jones and Mayra Ramirez out injured.
So has Kerr been ignored?
“She’s featured in nearly each league recreation this season but it surely’s solely two that she has began. The quantity 9 place has been troublesome for Chelsea,” stated former Scotland captain Rachel Corsie on BBC Radio 5 Reside.
“Lauren James has performed there to permit them to get Alyssa Thompson and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd within the group, who’ve been in good type. There’s a number of various factors.
“However they have not obtained an out-and-out quantity 9. Chelsea want a quantity 9. To let go of Sam Kerr, with out having a substitute there, could be an enormous step.”
