Emma Hayes faces Chelsea transfer dilemma after Sam Kerr ACL injury

Ahead of Chelsea's UEFA Women's Champions League clash with Paris FC, manager Emma Hayes had a premonition.

She fancied star striker Sam Kerr to notch a hat-trick against Sandrine Soubeyrand's side, saying as much to assistant Paul Green in the dressing room before kick-off. As has so often been the case over the course of her storied Chelsea tenure, Hayes' hunch proved right, with Kerr scoring three in a blistering 25 minute spell either side of half-time to inspire the hosts to victory at Stamford Bridge.

The Australian's scintillating display prompted an effusive post-match assessment fromthe Blues boss, who asserted she «doesn't know anyone who just puts the ball away like [Kerr] does.» It was a glowing appraisal of Chelsea's No.20 and one that is very much indicative of the scale of the void Hayes and co. must now seek to fill as Kerr gears up for a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

It was confirmed on Sunday the 30-year-old is set to be out for the season after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while away with Chelsea on a warm weather training camp in Morocco. She is set to be assessed by a specialist in the coming days before beginning her rehabilitation with the club's medical team.

Kerr, who also ruptured her ACL in 2011, joins a high-profile list of female players — including 13 in the Women's Super League (WSL) — currently sidelined with the injury. Indeed, according to the Washington Post, at least 87 players from eight of the world's top women's football leagues have torn their ACLs since 2021.

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