Chelsea forward Sam Kerr has emphasized that she will not rush her recovery from a second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, prioritizing her long-term future in the game. The Australian star, who holds the record for most goals in her country’s history with 69 goals in 128 appearances, suffered the ACL injury during training with Chelsea in January. The injury forced her to miss the Paris Olympics, marking her second absence from the Games due to a similar injury, having also missed the 2012 London Olympics.
In an interview published on Monday, Kerr told Optus Sport, “I’m not putting a date on my return, just making sure I get it right and making sure I feel good before I get back on the pitch. I mean, it’s my second ACL, so I know you need to take the time, you need to make sure it’s right and I’m doing everything I can. But no rush for me, I want to make sure I can play for many more years to come.”
Kerr, who turns 31 on Tuesday, has signed a contract extension with Chelsea until 2026, securing her place at the Women’s Super League (WSL) champions. Since joining the club in the 2019-20 season, she has been instrumental in Chelsea’s success, contributing to five WSL titles, three FA Cups, and two League Cups. Her impact extended beyond domestic competitions, as she helped Chelsea reach the Women’s Champions League finals in the 2020-21 season.
Chelsea embarks on a new chapter this season under the guidance of French coach Sonia Bompastor, following the departure of long-time manager Emma Hayes after 12 years. Kerr has expressed her confidence in Bompastor’s ability to guide the team towards their ultimate goal – winning the Women’s Champions League. “We’ve fallen short a few years in a row, and hopefully Sonia brings that to this club,” she added.
