Sam Kerr's return to the pitch for Chelsea after a 20-month absence due to an ACL injury was nothing short of spectacular. The Australian striker marked her comeback in style, scoring her 100th goal for the club in a 3-1 Women's Super League (WSL) victory over Aston Villa.
Kerr's journey back to the field has been arduous since she suffered the ACL injury in January 2024 during a training camp in Morocco. She missed the entirety of last season, during which Chelsea secured a domestic treble. After undergoing surgery and a full pre-season with the Blues, Kerr was named in the squad for the WSL season opener.
Chelsea's head coach, Sonia Bompastor, expressed her delight at having Kerr back in the team. Bompastor acknowledged the need for patience, recognizing that Kerr might not be at her peak level immediately. Kerr's return is especially timely, given Mayra RamÃrez's hamstring injury that will keep her sidelined for an extended period.
The match against Aston Villa saw Kerr enter the game as a second-half substitute, replacing Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. The Chelsea faithful at Villa Park greeted her with a resounding cheer. It didn't take long for Kerr to make her presence felt. In stoppage time, she capitalized on a goalmouth scramble to score her 100th goal for Chelsea, sealing the 3-1 victory.
Reflecting on her achievement, Kerr expressed immense pride in reaching the 100-goal milestone for a club she dearly loves. She acknowledged the long and challenging journey she had overcome to return to the pitch. Kerr's goal not only marked a personal triumph but also ensured Chelsea maintained their perfect start to the WSL season.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton emphasized Kerr's value to the team, describing her return as "almost as if we have got an extra signing". Fran Kirby, who previously played alongside Kerr at Chelsea, expressed her delight at Kerr's successful comeback and her milestone goal, hoping she stays fit and healthy to contribute more throughout the season.
Kerr's return comes after Chelsea have seen some changes in their attacking lineup. Mayra Ramirez was signed as a replacement after Kerr's injury. Alyssa Thompson also joined the team recently.
The game against Aston Villa saw Aggie Beever-Jones opening the scoring for Chelsea, with Ebony Salmon equalizing for Villa. A Missy Bo Kearns own-goal restored Chelsea's lead before Kerr's late strike. Alyssa Thompson, another new addition to Chelsea, made her debut in the second half.
Kerr's 100 goals for Chelsea are a testament to her hard work, dedication, and sacrifices. Her return is a significant boost for Chelsea as they aim to continue their dominance in the WSL and compete for further honors.
