Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr is close to a return to action following a lengthy injury lay-off, according to her manager Sonia Bompastor.
The Australian has been out of action since January 2024, when she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a training camp in Morocco.
However, Bompastor says that Kerr has been progressing well in pre-season.
“Sam is doing well,” Bompastor said to Chelsea’s official website. “She played some minutes in pre-season games but [we] cannot expect Sam. having not played for 15 or 16 months, to be immediately ready and at her best level. We need to be patient, even if you and I want to have Sam back because she’s a wonderful player and we love watching her on the pitch.
“We need to be a bit patient with the history she’s had, but she’s in a good place and I’m really pleased with her performances. She’s strong mentally, and is not too far away. If you are talking about having her back to her best, maybe you need to be patient, like I just said.”
Chelsea finished their pre-season preparation with a 4-1 win over AC Milan at Kingsmeadow, which included an Aggie Beever-Jones hat-trick. Bompastor explained that she had taken the opportunity to rotate her squad, and added that Mayra Ramirez’s withdrawal after 34 minutes was down to a knee twinge.
Bronze and James have “big injuries”
Bompastor also mentioned Lucy Bronze and Lauren James, who were in England’s victorious Women’s Euros squad over the summer, but both of whom will miss the start of the season. Indeed, Bronze confirmed immediately after the Lionesses’ victory over Spain that she had played the entire tournament with a fractured tibia.
“Mentally, they are in a good place. Obviously, they just came back from the Euros with big injuries, which is not great for us because now they are not in a place where they can start the season.
“It’s difficult for players when they represent their national team and as a club player involved in every competition, and to stay fit. That’s the challenge.
“But for us here, I’m glad England won the tournament, and our players were key to that. Now we need to deal with the situation and get them back as soon as possible. We will make sure, as a staff, that we contribute to them getting back as soon as possible.”
Chelsea’s first Women’s Super League match of the season is against Manchester City on Friday, 5th September.
