When Sonia Bompastor hinted on Friday that Sam Kerr might be back in action, there was already a sense of anticipation in the air. “Hopefully we’ll see her,” Chelsea’s head coach teased at her pre-match press conference. On Sunday, against Aston Villa, fans finally did.
After 634 days on the sidelines following an ACL injury, Kerr returned to the spotlight in the most fitting way possible – by scoring. Substituted on in the 75th minute, the Matildas captain delivered a stoppage-time strike to seal Chelsea’s 3-1 victory, marking her 100th goal for the club.
It wasn’t the cleanest finish Kerr has ever scored – a scrappy rebound before blasting past Ellie Roebuck – but its significance was undeniable. For a player whose game has long been defined by ruthless efficiency inside the box, this was about much more than just numbers.
“It means everything,” Kerr said after the match. “To score 100 goals for any club is amazing, but to do it for a club like Chelsea is incredible. It’s something I’m really proud of and I don’t take it lightly.”
A Century in Blue
Kerr reached the milestone in just 128 Chelsea appearances, underlining her prolific consistency. Across the Women’s Super League, she has now scored 59 goals in 76 matches, boasting the second-best goals-per-game ratio (0.78) among players with more than five goals – bettered only by Manchester City’s Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.
But it hasn’t been a straightforward journey. She played no part in Bompastor’s debut season in charge as Chelsea stormed to a domestic treble, watching on as new arrivals and rising stars filled the void she left behind. Last weekend, she made her first appearance back in a matchday squad against City. This time, she finally stepped onto the pitch – and reminded everyone exactly what she brings.
The Long Road Back
Kerr admitted her return was more about relief than glory.
“It feels good, I am really happy but [feel] a lot of relief,” she reflected. “It’s been a long journey and I’m glad it’s over.”
Her early touches showed the rust of nearly 20 months away, at one point choosing to pass instead of shooting – an uncharacteristic move for the pre-injury Kerr. But her sharp instincts soon returned, and her goal was the ultimate reminder: Chelsea’s star striker is back.
Praise From All Sides
The reaction from her teammates and coach was instant.
“You know what Sam represents,” Bompastor said. “For me, she’s an idol. She doesn’t like getting the limelight, but she really deserves it.”
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was equally delighted:
“She’s an absolute demon in the box. It’s about time she starts annoying opposition goalkeepers again. It almost feels like we’ve got an extra signing with her back.”
Fran Kirby, who shared the pitch with Kerr for years at Chelsea, added her congratulations after Brighton’s match.
“I’m absolutely delighted for her. It’s been a real tough journey. She belongs out on the football pitch, and she’s been waiting a long time for that moment.”
What Comes Next
The real question now is how Kerr will fit alongside Chelsea’s new-look attack. During her absence, the Blues recruited heavily to maintain their dominance – with Aggie Beever-Jones, Mayra Ramírez, and others stepping up in her place. Bompastor now has the luxury of depth, but also the challenge of balance.
For Chelsea fans, however, one thing is clear: Sam Kerr is back, and with her century of goals already secured, the hunger for more is undimmed
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