Sam Kerr: What next for Chelsea after Australia striker leaves?

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

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

Kerr arrived from Chicago Red Stars in January 2020 after agreeing a move with former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes.

Despite leaving the USA six years ago, Kerr remains the all-time leading scorer in the National Women’s Soccer League.

She also held the Australian W-League record upon her arrival at Chelsea and still sits third in the list.

Kerr picked up the Golden Boot for three years in a row in the US – her last tally of 18 was the highest in a single campaign until Temwa Chawinga scored 21 in 2024.

Goalscoring records continued at Chelsea as she struck 16 times in 29 games in all competitions this season, becoming the club’s all-time WSL top scorer with 64.

She has twice won the Golden Boot and was the WSL player of the season in 2022 and the PFA fans’ player of the year in 2021 and 2022.

In 2023, she finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting after netting 29 goals in 38 appearances as the Blues secure a WSL and FA Cup double.

Kerr’s 158th – and final – appearance could come on Saturday as Chelsea end the season at home to Manchester United.

She departs as the Blues’ fourth-highest appearance maker and could move level with all-time leading scorer Fran Kirby (112) if she scores on Saturday.

But it is also the timing of her goals that have proven so crucial, with 22 of them proving to be the winning strike in WSL games.

The Australia captain, who is the record scorer for her country, has also netted in five FA Cup finals and five League Cup finals.

She will depart having won five WSL titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups and the Community Shield.