Sam Kerr could make her first Chelsea appearance in 20 months as the Women's Super League (WSL) season begins. The Australian striker has been sidelined since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a training camp in January 2024.

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor confirmed that Kerr will be in the squad for the opening game against Manchester City. "I'm not sure if she will start or not," Bompastor said. "She is in a good place, mentally in a good position. People want her on the pitch, she has experience but has been away a long time, so we have to be patient with her. But it is a good step for her to be in the squad."

Kerr has been a pivotal figure for Chelsea, scoring 58 goals in 75 WSL matches. She played a key role in three consecutive WSL title-winning seasons under former manager Emma Hayes from 2020-21 to 2022-23.

Her return comes at a crucial time for Chelsea, who are dealing with several injuries in their senior squad. Striker Mayra Ramirez is out until the new year after hamstring surgery, while right-back Lucy Bronze and winger Lauren James will miss the start of the season due to injuries sustained during Euro 2025.

Bompastor expressed her understanding of the players' decisions to continue playing despite their injuries. "I was a player, I would have done the same," she said. "But now we have this situation, it is not great to not have these two players."

The Chelsea boss also praised James for her bravery in speaking out about her struggles with fan criticism and fears of racism after missing a penalty during the Euros. "She is not the only one who is quite vocal in my squad," Bompastor said. "I am proud of my players when they step up on important subjects. I encourage them to raise these problems. I encourage them to stay brave."

As Chelsea prepares to defend their WSL title, the return of Sam Kerr could provide a significant boost to their campaign. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how she performs after her long absence from the pitch.