Sam Kerr Secures Her Future at Chelsea Despite Injury
Australia captain Sam Kerr has received assurances about her continuity at Chelsea, despite her prolonged recovery from a serious knee injury. Kerr has been working with the medical staff of Football Australia.
Kerr has not played for her club or her country for 16 months, since she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in training with Chelsea in January 2024.
Her presence at the A-League Women final on Sunday at AAMI Park in Melbourne was a surprise, where she was accompanied by the Matildas’ head physiotherapist. That same day, her Chelsea teammates were playing in the Women’s FA Cup final against Manchester United in London.
Chelsea won 3-0, completing a domestic treble without their Australian star playing a minute. However, coach Sonia Bompastor dismissed suggestions that it might be time for the club and Kerr, who recently faced a court case and became a mother, to go their separate ways.
I was really saddened not to have the opportunity to have Sam on the team this season. I think she is a great player and we, the player and the club, need to find a way for her to return. She will feel like a new signing for me.
Sonia Bompastor, Chelsea coach
Bompastor added that Kerr’s absence can make a big difference in the fight for titles, as she is a key goalscorer.
Kerr, whose partner, Kristie Mewis, stayed in London with her baby Jagger, was present at AAMI Park on Sunday alongside Matildas’ lead physiotherapist, Matt Whalan, a specialist in ACL injuries.
Kerr returned to individual training in January and her recovery has exceeded the usual time for an ACL rupture. Most of her rehabilitation has been carried out under the supervision of Chelsea, rather than the staff of the Matildas or the Football Federation of Australia (FA).
However, Kerr joined the Matildas camp in March and April, with Chelsea’s consent, to work on her rehabilitation. Interim coach Tom Sermanni detailed last week how FA staff had worked with Chelsea in Kerr’s attempt to return to play.
We are in constant communication and have a physiotherapist in London who is doing a significant amount of work, in conjunction with Chelsea, with Sam. So we keep updated and in contact regularly.
Tom Sermanni, interim coach
The 31-year-old player has scored 99 goals in 128 matches since her debut with Chelsea in January 2020, and participated in this week’s photoshoot for the club’s 2025/26 season kit. The FA has been contacted for comment.
