Sam officially left years ago. She shook and created a leaving video, then, 30 minutes later, after shocking the internet, announced she would sign a new contract for another two years. Those two years are up, and she's "It's official, now I am leaving Chelsea”. Feels bittersweet as she is finally getting back to the old Sam Kerr ways of scoring goals consistently for the club that supported her through everything, only to leave when she was ready
She will always be known for that iconic FA Cup final backflip. If only Chelsea could get it over the line against Manchester City, we could have seen it for the last time. After six and a half years, she will leave upon the expiration of her contract. A hugely influential player at the club, her time was marred by an ACL injury, during which she missed a season and a half of action, but she leaves as the club's fourth-highest appearance-maker, with 158, including her last game.
The Australian, after returning this season, has scored 16 goals and 115 overall, becoming known for her ruthless, consistent goal-scoring. She sits one goal behind Chelsea's all-time leading scorer, Fran Kirby, and has beaten Kirby's WSL all-time goalscoring record of 64 goals.
“When I reflect on my Chelsea career and doing it for the last time [against Manchester United this Saturday], I just feel happy,” said Kerr. “Happy that it happened, and I feel so grateful to have played for this club for six years and won as many trophies as we could.”
While the end was not how anyone wanted, the only trophy Chelsea won this season was the League Cup, and she was away at the Asian Cup, so she was not there to celebrate her last Chelsea trophy. But over the past six seasons, she was the club's top scorer during the trophy-laden 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns and twice the winner of the WSL Golden Boot.
“Looking back now, I felt so young when I first came to the club,” Kerr said.
“Chelsea has done so much for me. I’ve grown heaps as a player. I couldn’t have dreamed of all the stuff we’ve achieved together. I feel really lucky that I was here.”
She has also earned Chelsea player of the season, Chelsea player's player of the season, WSL player of the year, the Football Writers' Association women's footballer of the year, selection in the PFA WSL team of the year, and second place in the Ballon d’Or in 2023.
Her time at Chelsea will always be clouded by her 20-month period, due to her ACL injury in January 2024, which sidelined her and left her with 99 goals for the club. But she got the 100th against Aston Villa in September, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute. On her first start since injury, away to Austrian side St Polten in the Women’s Champions League, she scored twice in a 6–0 win.
This season, she has scored 16 goals in 29 appearances, and it could have been more, as one was ruled out as ‘reportedly not over the line,’ and another as ‘the ball was out of play’ when Ellie Carpenter passed it to her.
Her final tally is five WSL titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups, and a Community Shield. One of the greatest players to ever wear the Chelsea shirt.
There is an often-used saying: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” That is the sentiment Kerr wants Chelsea supporters to remember. Her final goodbye will be on the last game of the WSL season at Stamford Bridge against Manchester United, a team she loves to score against in front of the home crowd. Chelsea have never lost to United in the WSL.
“Obviously, there’s a little bit of sadness,” Kerr said. “It’s leaving Chelsea, leaving the club where I’ve been for so long, leaving my teammates, leaving the fans.”
“But when I reflect on my Chelsea career and doing it for the last time, I just feel happy. Happy that it happened.”
“The only thing that comes to my mind is remembering all the happy moments, the fun moments, and just feeling really proud.”
“The fans are the most important part,” Kerr continued. “Without them, the games, the wins, the trophies, they aren’t that special.”
She reflected on packed stadiums at Kingsmeadow, Wembley and Stamford Bridge, and on everyday interactions with supporters.
“It just feels like a special club. I’ve been super proud to represent them, and hopefully it’s just goodbye for now.”
Although far from her native Australia, London became Kerr’s home after joining in 2020. During her time there, she got engaged, got married and had her son, Jagger.
“London’s been my home for six-and-a-half years,” she said.
“I think the people are probably what I’ll miss most.” She paid tribute to team-mates, coaches, medical staff, security, kitchen staff, grounds staff and kit staff. “That’s the thing about Chelsea that has made everything so special – the people.”
Her manager, Sonia Bompastor, said: “She's a great player, fantastic player, a lot of quality. I think she could show that to everyone here in England, playing so many games for Chelsea and performing at a really high level. One of the best in the world at a personal level.”
We won’t cry because it’s over. We’ll smile because it happened.
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