Sam Kerr, the Matildas superstar and Chelsea striker, is on the verge of a long-awaited return to competitive football after a grueling 19-month absence due to a serious knee injury. Since suffering an ACL injury in January 2024, Kerr’s journey back to the pitch has been anything but straightforward. The 31-year-old endured not only the initial trauma of the injury but also a setback during her rehabilitation that required a second surgery—an ordeal that left her sidelined for even longer than initially expected.
Now, as the calendar flips toward early September and the start of the new Women’s Super League season, anticipation is building within the Chelsea camp and among fans worldwide. Kerr is back in full training, sharpening her skills at Chelsea’s pre-season camp in the Netherlands. While it’s still uncertain whether she’ll feature in the opening matches, her presence alone is already lifting spirits and expectations.
“During an injury, you’re alone a lot,” Kerr candidly admitted in her first interview since returning to the squad, speaking from the Blues’ training base. “So it’s good to be back with the girls, just doing the same training sessions as them rather than solitary rehab sessions. Being in camp like this helps you get to know all the new faces.”
The return to normality—training at Cobham, traveling with teammates, and the simple joy of being part of the group—has been a welcome change after months of isolation. “It’s nice to be back with the girls, back on the pitch, and yeah, I’m excited. I’m most looking forward to being out there, scoring goals and having fun. Getting back to normal and being with the team is great, too.”
Kerr’s time away from football was marked by significant personal and professional milestones. In May 2025, she and her partner, Kristie Mewis, welcomed their son Jagger—a joyous event that added a new dimension to Kerr’s life off the pitch. Meanwhile, she was also cleared of racially aggravated assault charges in a highly publicized case, bringing closure to a stressful chapter unrelated to her footballing career.
But for Kerr, the true measure of normality is found in the rhythm of football—scoring goals, celebrating with supporters, and striving for victory. The Australian striker is a two-time golden boot winner, having racked up 21 and 20 goals in consecutive early 2020s campaigns. Her ambitions remain undimmed by her injury layoff. “My contribution is goals; it’s as simple as that,” she declared. “For the last, however many years, I’ve been within the top goalscorers, if not the top goalscorer in the team, and that’s where I want to come back to. I’ve got high expectations of myself.”
Kerr’s confidence has never wavered, even as she worked through solitary rehab sessions and the uncertainty that accompanies any long-term injury. “I have a lot of confidence in my ability, so the contribution for me is straightforward. It’s goals. That’s what I’m here to do, and that’s what I normally do, so there’s no reason why I can’t do it again.”
The Chelsea squad Kerr returns to is not quite the same as the one she left. There’s a new face in the dugout, with Sonia Bompastor having replaced Emma Hayes at the start of the previous season. Kerr, though, has embraced the change, praising both Bompastor and assistant coach Camille Abily. “Sonia’s very demanding as a manager. I’ve only been back in training for a couple of weeks with her, but I enjoy working under her and Cami, they’re great. It’s a big change for me, but they had a lot of success last year, so I’m looking forward to playing under them.”
The striker’s leadership qualities have also come to the fore as Chelsea welcomed several new signings during the summer transfer window. Most notably, Kerr’s Matildas teammate Ellie Carpenter has joined the Blues, offering a familiar face and a touch of home. “It’s good to have a familiar face,” Kerr said. “I’ve felt at home at Chelsea regardless of whether there was another Aussie here or not, but it’s nice to have someone to chat to about things from home that maybe the other girls would have no idea about. She’s a great player and a great athlete.”
Alongside Carpenter, Chelsea have added younger talents Mara Alber and Livia Peng, and Kerr has taken on the responsibility of helping new arrivals settle in. “With new players, it’s just about guiding them, but honestly, when I came here, I enjoyed it straight away because people just made me feel welcome and comfortable. With my personality and who I am as a leader, my role is to make the girls feel the same way and make sure they’re enjoying themselves. People can perform at their very best when they’re happy, comfortable and feel a part of the team.”
Kerr’s connection to Chelsea and its supporters runs deep. Stamford Bridge, the club’s iconic home, holds a special place in her heart—not least because of a memorable Champions League night. “Stamford Bridge feels like home,” she smiled, recalling her hat-trick against Paris FC. “Kingsmeadow means a lot too, but I think if we want to keep pushing the boundaries, we’ve got to keep playing in the biggest venues. Over the last couple of years, Stamford Bridge has been a fortress, so we need to keep playing there as much as possible, so it’s great we have an extra game there this season because the fans are just amazing.”
Chelsea’s first Women’s Super League match of the new season is set for Friday, September 5, 2025, at Stamford Bridge against Manchester City—a fixture that promises fireworks and could mark Kerr’s official return to competitive action. Whether she starts or comes off the bench, her presence will be a massive boost for the Blues as they look to defend their domestic crown and push for Champions League glory.
“Chelsea’s about winning, so I think everything we do here is about winning—from the standards at the training ground to what we do on the pitch,” Kerr emphasized. “When you come to a club like Chelsea, sometimes that can be a culture shock… but honestly, I enjoyed it straight away because people just made me feel welcome and comfortable.”
As the countdown to the new season continues, all eyes are on Sam Kerr. Her journey back to fitness has been long and lonely at times, but the anticipation of her return has electrified the Chelsea camp. With her trademark smile, fierce determination, and a proven track record of finding the back of the net, Kerr is poised to remind everyone exactly what she brings to the pitch.
As the Women’s Super League opener against Manchester City approaches, one thing is clear: Sam Kerr is back in the mix, and Chelsea’s ambitions are as high as ever. The wait may soon be over, and the Blues faithful can hardly wait to see their star striker light up Stamford Bridge once again.
