Chelsea’s signing of Mayra Ramirez questioned by Lionesses legend Fara Williams as record-breaking striker considered ‘not the ideal replacement’ for Sam Kerr

With Kerr out until next season due to an ACL injury, retired midfielder Williams suggested that her former club should have enough to get by without her thanks to a combination of United States striker Mia Fishel, signed just last summer, and Lionesses pair Lauren James and Fran Kirby. The 40-year-old questioned the motive behind splashing out so much cash on Ramirez.

Discussing the situaiton on talkSPORT, Williams said: "I'm not sure she's the ideal replacement for Sam Kerr in the short term. Will she still play alongside Sam Kerr if Kerr signs a new contract after this year when she comes back from an ACL? How [will] that look for her as a player fighting in this Chelsea team?

"Fishel can play up there, and I think she gives them a different dynamic when they play. Play into her, she's very good at holding up the ball players can work off of her - something Chelsea have never been able to do before. Lauren James as a false nine, Fran Kirby who for whatever reason isn’t really playing that much at Chelsea. I know she played at the weekend against Brighton, but if they can get her playing regularly I think she's a good enough replacement, between her and James."

Ramirez was unveiled as a Chelsea player just under three weeks after the club shared news of Kerr's ACL injury. The deal was confirmed by Levante to be worth up to £427,000 ($539,000) if all add-ons are triggered, surpassing the previous record that took Keira Walsh from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022. The Colombian played the last 23 minutes of Chelsea's WSL win over Brighton last weekend but wasn't eligible for the final Champions League group game against Paris FC in midweek.

Ramirez started and played the full 90 minutes of Colombia's World Cup quarter-final defeat to England last summer, directly facing her now Chelsea team-mates Millie Bright and Jess Carter.

Chelsea could be second in the WSL table by the time their Sunday night game against Everton kicks off, if Manchester City beat Leicester by two goals earlier in the day. The Blues will be determined to reclaim their lead and three-point cushion if that is the case and continue as favourites to land a fifth straight domestic crown in what is Emma Hayes' final season. Chelsea also await their next Champions League opponent, with the draw for the quarter and semi-finals being made on February 6.