Sam Kerr hitting hat-tricks at ‘80 per cent’! Emma Hayes says Chelsea superstar still not at her best despite netting three goals in Champions League win over Paris FC

The Australia international has been working her way back from a calf problem that threatened to dash her World Cup dreams on home soil at one stage. Kerr is not yet fully match fit, but the prolific 30-year-old is still too good for most of those that she comes up against – with that point highlighted when claiming the match ball in a 4-1 victory over Paris FC in the Champions League group stage.

Chelsea boss Hayes told reporters afterwards of Kerr having more gears to go through yet: “If that is her at 80 per cent – or whatever the per cent she is – then I’ll take that every week, that is not bad. I can’t wait for the 100 per cent version to come. I said to Paul (Green) in the dressing room before the game, she doesn’t get credit for all the other little bits she does and while she’s not, by her standards, top top yet, I don’t know anyone who puts the ball away like she does. She is so alert, so decisive with her movement. She can make a bad pass a good pass and I think the third goal, the lob, is just brilliant centre forward play.”

Sophie Ingle was also on target for Chelsea against Paris FC, as she stepped off the bench to complete the scoring in stoppage-time, and Hayes was delighted with the impact made by her substitutes in what is becoming a gruelling schedule for the Blues. She added: “Sophie coming on [in the second half], I thought she brought the calm, composed impact we needed. Same with Maren (Mjelde) and Eve Perisset, Mia (Fishel) getting her first Champions League appearance. Some days, you’ve got to dig it out and need the bench. Today, the bench did their job.”

Chelsea sit second in Group D, with four points taken from two games, and are top of the WSL after going unbeaten through seven games in domestic competition. They will be hoping to land multiple major honours this season, offering Hayes the perfect send off before she takes the reins with the USWNT.