'Sam Kerr is in the squad!' - Sonia Bompastor confirms long-awaited return of Chelsea star after 18-month ACL lay-off

Kerr's journey back has been carefully managed. She resumed individual training in January 2025 and, after months of rehabilitation and conditioning, she is now ready to rejoin Chelsea’s matchday squad.

Bompastor delivered the update on Kerr’s condition and said, "Kerr is in the squad. She will be involved in the game. We don't know yet if she will start or not but she's in the squad. She's in a good place. She's been training well. She's physically in a good position, also mentally. It's nice because she is one of the players everyone wants to see on the pitch. 

"That's nice for me, also, to have her in the squad, with her leadership and experience. At the same time, to be fair to her, she's been away from the pitch for a long time so I think we still need to be patient. That's normal for her not to be at her best level yet. Hopefully soon, but that's already a good step for her and for us for her to be in the squad."

Bompastor praised Kerr’s leadership and technical intelligence, highlighting her ability to elevate the squad both on and off the pitch.

"It's been really enjoyable for me and the squad to have her around again because I spoke about her quality on the pitch but also what she brings as a leader," she added. "She's a really smart player. I really enjoy watching her making these good runs with the right timing. With this kind of player, you don't really teach them how to play football. They already know how to do that. For me, it's more to give them all the confidence to be the best versions of themselves on the pitch, but also some small details. I try to help in that sense but Sam is a great player and she doesn't need much."

Kerr’s comeback is a boost for Chelsea, especially as the squad faces early-season injury setbacks. Mayra Ramirez will be missed after undergoing hamstring surgery. Ramirez was forced off during Chelsea’s pre-season clash with AC Milan and was replaced by Chloe Sarwie. Meanwhile, England international Lauren James, who shone during the Lionesses’ victorious European Championship run earlier this summer, is also sidelined “for a period of time.” Her absence compounds Chelsea’s early-season injury woes, making Kerr’s return even more crucial.

Chelsea will launch their campaign on Friday evening at Stamford Bridge, facing Manchester City in a highly anticipated WSL opener. Fans will be eager to see how Kerr, after such a long layoff, adapts to the rigours of top-flight women’s football. Bompastor’s careful management suggests the striker may not start immediately but will be gradually reintroduced to competitive action to ensure a smooth transition.