Kerr's Uncertain Future - Should Chelsea Keep Striker?

Kerr's position astatine Chelsea was unquestionable earlier she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) wounded while astatine her highest successful January 2024.

It took her much than 18 months to retrieve and she is still returning to afloat fittingness arsenic Chelsea struggle to meet expectations this season.

Off nan pitch, Kerr has endured difficulties too. She was found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment against a Metropolitan Police serviceman successful 2025 - nan consequence of a tribunal lawsuit which played retired successful nan nationalist oculus and caused controversy.

That led to calls successful her location state to portion her of nan Australia captaincy, while she stepped retired of nan limelight successful England.

It has besides been a play of alteration for Kerr arsenic she sewage joined to erstwhile West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis and they person a son, who was calved successful May.

In her absence, Chelsea went unbeaten domestically and won nan treble successful head Sonia Bompastor's debut campaign, but it has not gone to scheme this year.

Injuries - peculiarly successful attacking positions - players departing nan nine and performances not being up to scratch mean Chelsea are group to miss retired connected nan Women's Super League title and are retired of nan Women's Champions League.

Kerr has struggled to regain her spot successful nan starting XI contempt this, playing conscionable 444 minutes successful nan WSL this season.

She has made 15 appearances successful nan league, but only started 2 games, while she netted 3 goals successful 3 starts successful Europe.

Bompastor has less options up front, pinch USA striker Catarina Macario joining San Diego Wave, and Aggie Beever-Jones and Mayra Ramirez retired injured.

So has Kerr been overlooked?

"She's featured successful almost each convention crippled this play but it's only 2 that she has started. The number 9 position has been difficult for Chelsea," said erstwhile Scotland skipper Rachel Corsie connected BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Lauren James has played location to let them to get Alyssa Thompson and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd successful nan team, who person been successful bully form. There's tons of different factors.

"But they haven't sewage an out-and-out number nine. Chelsea request a number nine. To fto spell of Sam Kerr, without having a replacement there, would beryllium a large step."