Chelsea supporters obtained the gut-wrenching information final week that prolific striker Sam Kerr suffered an ACL damage through the membership’s heat climate coaching camp in Morocco.
Arriving at Chelsea in 2020, the Australian striker endured an agonising flip of occasions, having notched a powerful 99 targets for the membership earlier than succumbing to damage. With Emma Hayes leaving the membership on the conclusion of this season to tackle the function of head coach for the US Girls’s Nationwide Group, Kerr will now endure a nine-month rehabilitation course of and can by no means have the chance to play below Hayes at Chelsea once more.
Talking for the primary time for the reason that information of Kerr’s damage broke, Hayes supplied an replace on the Australian famous person’s situation.
“She’s having surgical procedure at the moment,” he boss revealed on Thursday. “I am gutted for her. I am gutted for the group. This stuff occur in soccer, she is aware of that, and I feel the vital factor is we’re right here to assist her. The restoration and the rehab begins at the moment.”
Kerr is out of contract in the summertime and it was rumoured that the Matilda’s star might depart the WSL in favour of a transfer to the NWSL. However sources near 90min have revealed that Kerr has agreed an extension till 2025. Hayes refused to substantiate something and stated the main focus is now on Kerr’s rehab.
“I am certain when the time is true to debate her future, that point will come from Sam and the membership, however Sam loves Chelsea and Chelsea loves Sam so I feel that is a very powerful factor to say on that entrance,” Hayes added.
Chelsea are set to expertise a notable void in Kerr’s absence, the supervisor admitted. Nevertheless, she shortly shifted focus in the direction of the remaining members of the Blues squad, recognising the collective energy and capabilities they bring about to the group.
“We have now a high quality squad and it is a good problem for me as a coach to seek out these options. I belief within the squad that now we have. We have added to that as properly. I feel the main focus and the eye has to go on the gamers which are right here,” Hayes defined.
Whereas Kerr’s prolonged layoff is undoubtedly vital, Hayes expressed confidence within the depth and flexibility of the remaining gamers, emphasising the chance for others to step up and contribute to the group’s continued success as a substitute.
“We really feel we have gamers that may rating targets. We’re creating extra possibilities than we have ever created in my time right here. We simply have to seek out alternative ways to complete,” she added.
Regardless of Chelsea’s introduction of striker Mia Fishel to the WSL through the summer season, the ahead from the USWNT has encountered challenges adapting to life in London. Compounded by a lingering groin damage, her enjoying time has been restricted. In eight matches, she has managed to attain solely as soon as.
Chelsea additionally acquired American compatriot Catarina Macario through the summer season. She spent the preliminary months of her time on the membership persevering with rehabilitation for an ACL damage. Whereas the prolonged restoration interval has been important for Macario’s circumstances, the absence of Kerr might now serve to intensify expectations for the 24-year-old’s impending availability.
“She took half within the periods in Morocco, albeit in a progressive means, not in full-team coaching, however components of coaching,” Hayes defined of the previous Lyon star. “I feel this primary half over the following couple of weeks would be the reintroduction and I feel Chelsea followers can count on to see her fairly quickly.
“For these of you that have not watched Cat play, belief me, she’s a high, high participant.”
Chelsea additionally possess youthful abilities in Lauren James, who has netted seven targets up to now in 2023/24, and Aggie Beever-Jones, tallying 5 after coming back from a mortgage at Everton final season, who’re additionally primed to gas the Blues’ goalscoring wants instead of Kerr.
Chelsea proceed to be with out key centre-back Millie Shiny, who missed a hefty chunk of final season with a knee damage. Returning to function in all of England’s World Cup run that led to defeat to Spain within the last, Shiny’s knee issues returned and prevented her from that includes within the last few video games of 2023.
“She’s in rehab on the minute and dealing laborious on that,” Hayes stated of Shiny’s damage.
“I can not give a timeline for a return, as I’ve stated many instances over, however she’s in good spirits and she or he’ll be again as quickly as she will humanly probably make it again. I am certain she’d put her boots on at the moment if I requested however we simply must get it proper for Millie’s long-term future.”
To keep away from dashing Shiny’s return, Chelsea opted to safe the signature of Swedish defender Nathalie Bjorn from Everton. This strategic signing not solely offers an alternate and succesful choice in defence but in addition compensates for the absence of Aniek Nouwen because of an ACL damage.
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