Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor reveals that Sam Kerr is in a “really good place” as she continues to recover from her ACL injury.

The striker suffered the devastating knee problem in January 2024 during a warm weather Chelsea training camp in Morocco and hasn’t returned to the pitch since.

The incident saw her miss the second half of the 2023/24 season, with Chelsea claiming a fifth consecutive WSL title, and the Olympics with Australia.

The 31-year-old has remained insistent on not wanting to rush her return to football, but reports emerged this week that interim Australia coach Tom Sermanni wants her to link up with the rest of the ahead of upcoming Europe-based friendlies against Switzerland and Germany.

Speaking to media ahead of Chelsea’s UEFA Women’s Champions League clash against FC Twente, Bompastor was pressed on whether the club would let Kerr go.

“We always have a close relationship with every national team coach, communication is really important,” Bompastor said.

“We just have to be on the same page. If we feel that’s best for the player then I would be happy to help. This is a conversation we are having. If she has to go, then she will go but in my mind at the moment, this is not the decision we are taking.”

The striker had scored nine goals in 12 games last season before she was struck down by injury, reinforcing her place as an instrumental part of Chelsea’s squad.

Bompastor went on to confirm that she is set to sit down with the striker and Chelsea’s staff to begin a return to play plan.

“Sam is doing good and she is in a good place mentally. We see her every day even, though she is not involved in training sessions,” the boss explained.

“During the international break we have a meeting with the staff to make our own plan and see when she will be able to start practising individually with the technical stuff, which will be a new step for her.

“She brings such positivity to the team being around even if she isn’t in training.”

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