After 692 days, Sam Kerr finally started a game for Chelsea — and she made it worth the wait.
The Australian star, who last began a match for the Blues in December 2023, returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday and struck twice in a dominant 6–0 Champions League win over St. Pölten.
Kerr’s journey back has been far from easy. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament during a training camp in January 2024 and endured multiple setbacks that kept her sidelined for over a year and a half. After gradually building match fitness with nine substitute appearances this season — scoring twice — she seized her first start in style.
“It feels good,” Kerr told Disney+. “I felt like I had to grow into the game, but I’m happy to score again. Playing only 20 minutes here and there can feel messy. Tonight felt right — I’m just enjoying every second of being back in the Champions League.”
Her first half wasn’t smooth sailing — missing several chances and even being caught offside for what would’ve been a Naomi Girma goal — but once she found her rhythm, Kerr looked like her old self again.
Her opener came from a neat first touch and a precise right-foot finish after connecting with Wieke Kaptein’s cross. Moments later, she added a second — rising to meet Niamh Charles’ delivery with a powerful header into the top corner.
“It feels sweet but also a bit strange,” Kerr admitted. “It’s been so long since I scored regularly that I almost forgot how to celebrate. I just need to keep scoring more.”
Now, Kerr is aiming for her first Women’s Super League start since December 2023. With Aggie Beever-Jones still recovering from a dead leg, Kerr could start against Liverpool on Sunday.
“I feel 100%,” she said. “It’s just about building up fitness and getting more minutes. I’m ready to go.”
Tuesday’s game also marked the return of Lauren James, who made her first appearance in 225 days after recovering from an ankle injury at Euro 2025. New signing Naomi Girma started for the first time this season as well.
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor welcomed the return of key players. “Having everyone available is huge — not just for quality but also depth,” she told Disney+. “When you can rotate and still bring in world-class players, it makes all the difference.”
With Beever-Jones and Guro Reiten close to returning from injury and maternity leave respectively, Bompastor may soon face a selection dilemma — but it’s one she doesn’t mind.
“I like having those problems,” she said. “It’s tough because all my players are top quality, but that’s what being a manager is about
— making those decisions.”
