Sam Kerr is ‘enjoying every moment’ after first Chelsea start for 692 days

They say a week is a long time in football, let alone 99 weeks.

Sam Kerr knows that all too well, as her 692-day wait to start for Chelsea ended on Tuesday.

After scoring in her side’s 3-1 Champions League win over PK Hacken on 20 December 2023, Kerr’s career was rocked by injury.

An anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during a warm-weather training camp in January 2024, followed by several setbacks, kept her out of competition until September of this year.

After scoring two goals in nine substitute appearances this season, Kerr took advantage of her first start and scored two wonderful goals in Chelsea’s 6-0 thrashing of Austria’s St. Pölten in the Champions League.

“It feels good. I felt like I had to do my best to make it happen, but yeah, happy to score,” Kerr told Disney+.

“Of course I prefer to play more minutes. When you play for 20 minutes, it’s a bit hectic, there are a lot of substitutions and it can be a bit hesitant. I feel like today was good.

“I had some chances in the first half. I’m happy to be back here playing in the Champions League again, with a great team. I’m enjoying every moment.”

For a while it looked as if it wouldn’t be Kerr’s night.

She may have started two friendlies with Australia last month, but her intensity is still coming back, and in the first half she wasted three chances she was expected to convert.

Her faltering shots continued when she fired her shot over the crossbar early in the second half, while her poorly timed run led to her teammate Naomi Girma’s header in the first half being ruled out for offside.

Then Kerr appeared, and Europe’s defenders hoped they would never see him again.

A brilliant first touch from a Wieke Kaptein cross took the ball off her feet, before a powerful right-footed shot left goalkeeper Karina Schlüter helpless.

For the second time, Kerr stepped back from the defensive line into space, adjusted to meet Niamh Charles’ cross and curled a header high into the net.

“It’s a little sweeter but a little weird,” Kerr said about whether the feeling of recording has changed after her injury.

“I haven’t scored for so long that I feel like I haven’t really celebrated. I haven’t had that celebration yet. I should score more.”

Kerr will next target for his first Premier League game since December 17, 2023. With Aggie Beaver-Jones missing the last two games due to injury, he could come in against Liverpool on Sunday.

“I feel 100% good, but I’ve been out for a while, so I’ve got to build myself up,” Kerr said.

“Today was a good group, wasn’t it? Getting some good minutes with the national team was a good group. I’m definitely fit enough, it’s just a matter of getting miles in the legs now. I’m ready to go.”