Chelsea fans were devastated to learn that prolific striker Sam Kerr would miss the remainder of this season after sustaining the dreaded ACL injury during a recent warm-weather training camp ahead of the WSL’s post-winter break restart.
Having signed for Chelsea in January 2020, Kerr has been stalwart in leading Chelsea’s challenge for four consecutive WSL titles – winning one every year she has been with the club. However, her untimely injury means she will now never play under manager Emma Hayes at Chelsea again, with the formidable boss departing at the end of the season to lead the United States.
Registering 99 goals in 128 matches before her injury, Kerr was chosen for the 2023 FIFA World XI and has been named in the top three of the Ballon d’Or for the past three years.
Having excelled in the WSL and secured the Golden Boot twice to date, the Australian – who has at least agreed a contract extension – leaves a considerable gap for Hayes to address. But, given the depth of talent in Chelsea’s squad, the Blues can find a suitable replacement from within.
Lauren James had her breakout season with Chelsea last campaign, nailing down her spot as an attacking midfielder in Fran Kirby’s absence. Spending more time on the left wing this season, the 22-year-old’s versatility has become a key asset to Hayes, with her hunger to score goals leading Chelsea’s attack. With seven goals in nine games, she ranks second in the Golden Boot race.
Following Kerr’s injury, there was a brief period before Chelsea’s first match of 2024, an FA Cup London derby against West Ham. During this time, James, exemplifying her versatility, stepped in as the striker. While it wasn’t her most assured or comfortable performance in a Blues shirt, manager Emma Hayes may use the burgeoning talent as a ‘number nine’ to devise a new strategy.
Named in the FIFA Best XI alongside Kerr, James appears to be a promising candidate to fill the void left by the Australian and could spend the remainder of the campaign as a centre forward. However, her longevity as a striker rides on Kirby remaining injury-free as any set backs to the 30-year-old could shift James back into midfield, making it a less sustainable option.
Joining Chelsea from the Mexican club Tigres UANL during the summer, 22-year-old Mia Fishel had emerged as a clinical and accurate striker, notching 38 goals in 48 appearances. At youth international level, the American showcased her scoring prowess by bagging 13 goals in the Under-20 CONCACAF Championship in 2020, earning the Golden Ball for her exceptional contributions.
Despite demonstrating her capacity to spearhead Chelsea’s forward line, Fishel hasn’t seamlessly adjusted to life in the WSL. Dealing with a groin injury and fitness issues, she has been restricted to only eight appearances, five off the bench. These challenges have hindered her ability to rise to the occasion in significant matches, and the US international has managed to score only twice.
She was brought to Chelsea to share the striker role with Kerr; however, with the stabilisers removed and a prime opportunity to showcase her skills as the starting striker, she is the probable choice to fill Kerr’s position, assuming there are no lingering injury concerns.
Chelsea fans have yet to witness Catarina Macario, Fishel’s international compatriot, in action as a result of an ACL injury in June 2022. In fact, Macario has been absent from the football field for 18 months following her injury, causing her to miss the entire 2022/23 season and the World Cup.
Before suffering the gut-wrenching injury, Macario was at Lyon after playing college soccer at Stanford University. In her sole full season with the French side, whom she left as a free agent last summer while still injured, the versatile forward netted an impressive 14 legaue goals.
After dedicating the initial six months of her Chelsea tenure to extended rehabilitation, Hayes confirmed that Macario is on the brink of making a return this campaign. The boss emphasised: “For those of you that haven’t watched Cat play, trust me, she’s a top, top player.”
The 24-year-old may be ready to make some appearances as a centre forward before the season’s close, likely off the bench. Yet it will be a while before Macario is fully fit for a more substantial role.
Arguably one of the most promising young talents, Japan international Maika Hamano has bounced back from her recent injury setback and is poised to dazzle the WSL. Joining Chelsea last winter, Hamano initially stayed at Hammarby, clinching victory in the Swedish league.
At the age of 19, this young forward now has the chance, in Kerr’s absence, to assume the role of the centre forward for the foreseeable future. She undeniably possesses the potential and skill to take on this responsibility, and the five months spent in England, despite limited playing time, should ideally have facilitated her adaptation to a new environment and league.
If Hamano can adjust to regular playing time at Chelsea’s high standard quickly, she will likely be the best option- rotating the position with Fishel – to continue the Blues’ quest for a fifth consecutive title.
Hayes has shown faith in Aggie Beever-Jones and it has paid off. Having spent the past two seasons on loan to Bristol City and Everton, Chelsea brought the 20-year-old back for this campaign, in which she has so far made nine appearances, scoring five goals – second most for the Blues.
Having had an exceptional start to her senior career, Beever-Jones is in a prime position to continue her goalscoring prowess. Despite being a natural winger, it is possible that Hayes may trial the clinical finisher up front to see if she could produce the same success in a more central role.
With burgeoning potential and the backing of one of the best clubs in Europe, the sky is the limit for Beever-Jones and she is definitely one to keep an eye on for the rest of this campaign as Chelsea look to the next generation to fill the void left by Kerr’s ACL.
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