Sam Kerr’s Long-Awaited Return: Chelsea’s Striker Ready to Light Up WSL Again

A Champion’s Return

Chelsea’s star striker Sam Kerr is making her long-awaited return to the Women’s Super League (WSL) on Friday, marking the end of a 20-month absence following an ACL tear sustained in January 2024. The 31-year-old Australian striker will feature in Chelsea’s 2025/26 WSL season-opener.

The Road to Recovery

Kerr’s journey began with an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Chelsea’s warm weather training camp in Morocco, requiring extensive rehabilitation with the club’s medical team. Before her injury, the striker had demonstrated remarkable prowess with an impressive record of 58 goals in just 75 WSL games for Chelsea, helping the team win the league title in every season she played.

Manager’s Perspective

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has confirmed Kerr’s inclusion in the squad for their match against Manchester City, noting that the striker “is in a good place” both physically and mentally. Bompastor emphasized that Kerr is “one of the players everyone wants to see on the pitch.”

Impact and Future Prospects

As the captain of the Australia women’s national team since 2019, Kerr has established herself as one of the world’s best strikers and one of Australia’s greatest athletes. She holds the record as Australia’s all-time leading international scorer with 69 goals. Her return comes as a significant boost for Chelsea, who are pursuing a record-extending seventh consecutive WSL trophy this season.

Careful Management

While Kerr is back in the squad, the club is taking a measured approach to her return. Bompastor has indicated that they cannot afford to rush her back into action after such a lengthy absence, emphasizing the need for patience. However, her inclusion in the squad represents a positive step forward in her recovery journey.