Emma Hayes keen on taking ‘mindful’ approach on Kerr and Kirby return to Chelsea first team action following injuries
EMMA HAYES warns Chelsea fans need to be patient when it comes to hopes of seeing Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby starting together this term.
The prolific duo are yet to feature in Hayes’ first XI this season with the Blues boss carefully managing their returns.
Kerr, who has bagged 86 goals in 110 Chelsea games, was a second-half substitute during the title-holders’ dramatic draw with Manchester City last Sunday.
It was the Blues’ striker’s first top-flight appearance since her return to fitness from a calf injury sustained on World Cup duty with Australia.
Hayes, whose team hosts West Ham at Kingsmeadow on Saturday, said: “Yes – Sam played games in the World Cup on the back end.
“But she didn’t train that entire period.
“She then had a couple of weeks break then had the same injury, so she’s only had one week’s training. We have to be mindful of that.
“Sam has had her first full training week and is available for selection.
“But you have got to make decisions on what’s right for Sam in the long term, and not just immediate decisions.
“That’s because the crowd will remember and want to see certain partnerships together.
“As football managers, I don’t think people really realise sometimes you’re managing so many other things that may not always allow you to put players and combinations of players together.
“We’re getting closer to it and we’re another week closer, so I’m happy for that reason.
“I think for the players, they’re just getting back into the rhythm of being there.
“Coaches always want training weeks, so I’d much rather be in that position, but players always want games.”
Kerr and Kirby have formed a lethal attacking partnership in recent seasons
In their first year together during the Blues’ 2020-21 campaign, the team-mates scored and assisted 13 times as a duo.
Their prolific displays played a key part in Chelsea claiming the second of four consecutive WSL titles they have won since 2019.
However the second half of last term saw Kirby sidelined from knee injury sustained in March during a Conti Cup duel with West Ham.
Hayes, whose team have one win and one draw, added: “With Fran Kirby – yes, she’s had a pre-season.
“But she has missed a large chunk of last season, so we’re building particularly Fran into the season.
“This is the first week we’ve had Sam being able to train with the team in its entirety and had Fran at the same time, and Lauren at the same time.
“I think this week, we’ve looked much more like ourselves.”
Chelsea’s Saturday evening clash with West Ham will see them play at Kingsmeadow for the first time this term.
Their previous home game – held at Stamford Bridge – saw them seal a 2-1 win against Tottenham with James and summer-signing Mia Fischel both netting in front of
On how the Kingsmeadow and Stamford Bridge atmospheres compare, Hayes said: “I’m a bit old school so I love Kingsmeadow.
“I like the feeling of the crowd on top of you.
“I like the banter you get from the away fans, I enjoy all of that. It makes me chuckle during a game.
“But from where I sit (at Kingsmeadow) I can see this section of our longest-serving, most ardent fans singing their tunes.
“And you can’t hear that in the biggest stadiums but I for sure can hear it at Kingsmeadow. I love being there. It’s our other home.”
Saturday’s game will see Chelsea face Rehanne Skinner’s Irons without the services of Fischel and Guro Reiten with both currently crocked.
And Hayes is expecting a tough encounter seventh-placed West Ham side facing Chelsea for the first time under Skinner.
The Blues boss added: “West Ham have all the qualities to do well, particularly because of the way the front two work.
“We think they’ve done really well in pre-season and in their first two games from what we’ve analysed. We certainly don’t underestimate them.”