Sam Kerr: Chelsea and Australia striker out for the season after ACL injury

Australian and Chelsea forward, Sam Kerr, has become the latest casualty of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the Women’s Super League, leading to her absence for the remainder of the domestic season, as confirmed by her club on Sunday.

Kerr sustained the knee injury during Chelsea’s warm-weather training camp in Morocco ahead of the upcoming FA Cup game against West Ham. Joining Chelsea midway through the 2019-20 season, Kerr has made a significant impact, scoring 99 goals in 128 games for the club. Chelsea stated that Kerr will undergo assessment by a specialist before commencing rehabilitation with the club’s medical team.

This unfortunate setback means Kerr will miss the rest of the season, including her last game under the influential manager, Emma Hayes, in Chelsea’s 3-1 away win against the Swedish side Häcken in the Champions League on December 20. Additionally, Kerr will be absent from the Olympics this summer if Australia qualifies.

Emma Hayes, departing Chelsea at the end of the season to lead the US women’s national team, and Kerr, whose contract concludes this season, face uncertainties about their future collaboration. Kerr’s tenure at Chelsea has been fruitful, with the team winning nine trophies, including four league titles, three FA Cups, and two League Cups.

Sam Kerr, a 30-year-old striker, has also claimed the Golden Boot twice, secured a runner-up spot at the Ballon d’Or awards last year, and consistently featured in the Guardian’s list of the top 100 female footballers in 2021 and 2022.

Kerr’s injury adds to the growing list of women’s players, including Beth Mead, Leah Williamson, Vivianne Miedema, and Janine Beckie, who have suffered ACL injuries. The increasing incidence of such injuries has prompted global players union, Fifpro, to highlight factors like an augmented workload, extensive travel, and inadequate rest as contributing factors. In response, UEFA has introduced an expert panel on women’s health to delve deeper into the understanding of ACL injuries and their prevalence among female players.