Kerr's uncertain future - should Chelsea keep striker?

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Sam Kerr reached the Women's Asian Cup final with Australia in March

The future of Chelsea striker Sam Kerr remains uncertain - but would it be a wise decision for the club to let her leave on a free transfer this summer?

The Australia international has been one of the greatest goalscorers in women's football over the past decade and won 11 major trophies at Chelsea.

From thumping headers to audacious lobs and acrobatic backflips, Kerr has shown it all during her six-year spell in London.

However, with her contract due to expire at the end of the season, and no signs of a new deal being signed, speculation has been building.

Australian broadcaster 10 News reported on Thursday, external that Kerr had agreed a move to Denver Summit but the striker quickly dismissed it.

Posting on Snapchat, she said: "Don't believe everything you read in the media man, they know a decision before me!"

But should Chelsea try to keep Kerr and would it be a mistake to let her leave?

'Chelsea need a number nine'

Kerr's status at Chelsea was unquestionable before she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while at her peak in January 2024.

It took her more than 18 months to recover and she is still returning to full fitness as Chelsea struggle to meet expectations this season.

Off the pitch, Kerr has endured difficulties too. She was found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment against a Metropolitan Police officer in 2025 - the result of a court case which played out in the public eye and caused controversy.

That led to calls in her home country to strip her of the Australia captaincy, while she stepped out of the limelight in England.

It has also been a period of change for Kerr as she got married to former West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis and they have a son, who was born in May.

In her absence, Chelsea went unbeaten domestically and won the treble in manager Sonia Bompastor's debut campaign, but it has not gone to plan this year.

Injuries - particularly in attacking positions - players departing the club and performances not being up to scratch mean Chelsea are set to miss out on the Women's Super League title and are out of the Women's Champions League.

Kerr has struggled to regain her place in the starting XI despite this, playing just 444 minutes in the WSL this season.

She has made 15 appearances in the league, but only started two games, while she netted three goals in three starts in Europe.

Bompastor has fewer options up front, with USA striker Catarina Macario joining San Diego Wave, and Aggie Beever-Jones and Mayra Ramirez out injured.

So has Kerr been overlooked?

"She's featured in almost every league game this season but it's only two that she has started. The number nine position has been difficult for Chelsea," said former Scotland captain Rachel Corsie on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Lauren James has played there to allow them to get Alyssa Thompson and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd in the team, who have been in good form. There's lots of different factors.

"But they haven't got an out-and-out number nine. Chelsea need a number nine. To let go of Sam Kerr, without having a replacement there, would be a big step."

'Kerr has the character of a top player'

There's no doubt it has taken Kerr a while to recover from her ACL injury but, prior to that, she helped Chelsea win five successive WSL titles - claiming the Golden Boot in two of those seasons.

She was the WSL Player of the Season in 2022 and the PFA Fans' Player of the Year award winner in 2021 and 2022.

In total, she has scored 106 goals in 147 appearances for Chelsea, scoring the winning goal in three FA Cup finals at Wembley.

Her quality is unquestionable and Corsie said it would be "remarkable" if Chelsea allowed her to leave on a free.

"I'd want to keep hold of Sam Kerr. There are so many teams around the world who would absolutely want a shot at signing her," added Corsie.

"It's been difficult for her. She was out for a long time with the injury. She needed most of this season to get back to full speed. But she has the character of a top player.

"She always has an eye for danger and knows the moments she needs to be in the box. She knows how to lose a defender, get in the air and win the ball.

"She might need a little longer before we see the form she showed in the past but I would keep hold of her. She's a top, top player."

Kerr's form is starting to show after regular game time with Australia at the Women's Asian Cup.

She netted four goals in six matches, including against China in the semi-finals, as Australia went on to lose to Japan in the final.

On her return to Chelsea, she netted in their 4-3 win over Aston Villa and started as they fell to a 3-2 aggregate defeat by Arsenal in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Speaking about her performances in the Asian Cup, Bompastor said in March: "'It's great [to see her playing so well]. She's getting a lot of minutes.

"It's good for her confidence and her momentum and she's scoring really important goals as well.

"When Sam is back with us, she will be contributing to help the team perform and hopefully help us have great results. It's great news for us."

If not Chelsea, then where next?

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Highlights as Arsenal edge past Chelsea to reach Champions League semi-finals

Kerr will be hoping to make her mark in Monday's FA Cup quarter-final tie against Tottenham (13:30 BST), while Chelsea return to WSL action at Everton on 26 April.

But the 32-year-old could be one of several senior players leaving Chelsea in the summer, with sources suggesting an exit has been expected for some time.

It is a transitional period for the club and Bompastor is said to be keen to refresh the squad as they try to bounce back from this season's disappointment.

USA forward Alyssa Thompson, 21, and Netherlands defender Veerle Buurman, 19, are two of the young players Chelsea have weaved into the squad this year.

A move to America's NWSL (National Women's Soccer League) is most likely for Kerr. Her partner Mewis is from the US, while Kerr enjoyed a successful period there between 2015 and 2019 and remains the league's all-time record goalscorer.

But, while her future remains uncertain, Chelsea will hope Kerr can deliver more goals between now and the end of the season.

They can still add the FA Cup trophy to their League Cup title, and must secure a top-three WSL spot to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed