Back in business! Sam Kerr to make Chelsea return
Ian Chadband |
Sam Kerr is to play in her first match for more than 18 months after Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor confirmed Australia’s skipper would feature in the English champions’ Women’s Super League season-opener.
Bompastor said the 31-year-old superstar striker would play some part in the Blues’ blockbuster clash with Manchester City on Friday evening (Saturday AEST) at Stamford Bridge.
It will be her first match since she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January 2024 while on a training trip with the club.
“Sam Kerr is in the squad. She will be involved in the game. We don’t know yet if she will start or not but she’s in the squad,” said Bompastor on Thursday.
“She’s in a good place. She’s been training well. She’s physically in a good position, also mentally.
“It’s nice because she is one of the players everyone wants to see on the pitch. That’s nice for me, also, to have her in the squad, with her leadership and experience.”
But Bompastor has pleaded for fans to be patient after Kerr’s long absence from the game, a period which also featured a traumatic spell for the striker when she faced
“At the same time, to be fair to her, she’s been away from the pitch for a long time so I think we still need to be patient.
“That’s normal for her not to be at her best level yet. Hopefully soon, but that’s already a good step for her and for us for her to be in the squad.”
Earlier in the week, Bompastor had also noted: “She played some minutes in pre-season games but we cannot expect Sam, having not played for 15 or 16 months, to be immediately ready and at her best level.
“We need to be patient, even if you and I want to have Sam back because she’s a wonderful player and we love watching her on the pitch.”
Kerr’s return also spells encouraging news for the Matildas with the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia less than six months away.
AAP
