Subscribe to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter and receive it in your inbox for no cost.
Subscribe to Miguel Delaney’s complimentary weekly newsletter.
Emma Hayes has chosen not to make any guesses about the future of Sam Kerr, who is currently injured and has a contract with Chelsea that ends this summer.
Hayes explained that Kerr had surgery on Thursday for an ACL injury sustained while participating in a routine turning and shooting drill during the team’s training in Morocco. The manager deemed the incident as “innocuous.”
The extensive healing period almost guarantees that the Australian captain will not be able to participate in the rest of the Women’s Super League and Champions League season. The latter is Hayes’ final opportunity to secure the elusive trophy before she leaves Chelsea to become the head coach of the US women’s national team.
Inquired about the status of Kerr’s contract and any worries about her potentially leaving Chelsea, Hayes stated that currently, the main focus for Sam is on recovering from her injury.
“I am confident that when the appropriate moment arrives to address her future, it will be determined by Sam and the club. Both Sam and Chelsea have a strong bond, which is why I believe that is the most crucial aspect to note in this matter.”
30-year-old England and Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby is set to become a free agent this summer. In a recent interview with the BBC, she stated that she has not had any discussions with the club regarding her future.
Kirby, who has faced several challenges herself such as a knee injury that prevented her from participating in last year’s World Cup and being sidelined due to pericarditis, expressed optimism about her ability to continue playing professional football once her current contract ends.
Hayes stated that it is common for players to enter the final six months of their contract, particularly in the case of Fran. She is aware that our objective is for her to play every game this season, rather than less than half.
“She understands that and sometimes she is a bit impatient. She wants to do everything at once but we know what a talent she is, we know what we can expect from Fran, and I’m sure, again, when the club and the player and all of the people involved with that have something to announce on that front, they will.
“I do not believe anyone should be overly concerned about the timelines. We have spent 11 years establishing a structure to ensure that we are constantly planning and preparing, and I am confident that Chelsea and its future are in a strong position.”
In the meantime, there is positive news regarding Catarina Macario, the 24-year-old American forward who joined the Blues in July. She has not yet played for Chelsea due to a lengthy recovery from an ACL injury.
Macario actively participated in the team’s training sessions in Morocco and Hayes stated that this initial phase will serve as a reintroduction and Chelsea fans can anticipate seeing her on the field in the near future.
The website independent.co.uk is the source.
