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BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2023: Sam Kerr profile
Age: 30 Position: Forward Teams: Chelsea and Australia
Sam Kerr once again proed the firepower as Chelsea maintained their dominance of English women’s football.
She scored 29 goals in 38 games in all competitions, continuing her knack for finding the net at crucial times, as she helped her side win another Women’s Super League and FA Cup double.
The Australian was the deciding factor as the Blues beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final, her goal the only difference in that match and she has now scored in the past three FA Cup finals.
However, her World Cup didn’t quite go to plan. She was billed as the face of the tournament, but had to watch from the sidelines until the quarter-finals because of injury.
She still managed to make her mark in the semi-finals with a stunning equaliser against England, and, although it wasn’t enough to prevent her country’s exit, it earned Kerr a Puskas award nomination – an award which recognises the best finish in world football.
Kerr was also named the Football Writers’ Association women’s footballer of the year for the second year running, included in the Professional Footballers’ Association’s team of the season, and nominated for the Fifa Best awards.
Kerr in her own words
How much does she enjoy the Women’s Super League?
“I love it here now. I’ve been at Chelsea for three years and I feel really welcome. I’ve felt like I’ve found my home away from home.
“The coaches really suit me, the team really suits me. I love London, I love the league, and I love getting challenged every week.
“Every team is getting better, every player is getting better. I feel like I’m not getting comfortable here, I’m getting challenged every week and every season.”
What’s it like playing for Chelsea manager Emma Hayes?
“Emma is always challenging everyone. She’s always trying to push me to do things I’m not comfortable with. I’ve always been someone who sticks with what I’m good at and she’s pushed me to get better at those things I think maybe aren’t as important.
“She always pushes me to be out there to practice the things I’m not as good as other people at.”
How does she find being nominated for so many awards?
“The most important indiual award for me is the golden boot because if I’m winning that then the team is probably winning the title, I’ve put my team in a good position.
“I’m so honoured to be on nomination lists, for me to be in the top female footballers in the world, that’s a massive honour for me.
“I come to training every day and see people who have never made that list that out-train me every day.
“I feel really honoured and whether I win one or not it’s not going to change the way I play or the way I think of other people on my team or in world football.”
What did it feel like to be on the bench for the beginning of the World Cup?
“I’m the worst bench player in the world. I get more nervous sitting on the bench than when walking out for a massive game.
“It’s just something I had to deal with and I dealt with it pretty well.”
How important is her Indian heritage to her?
“I always have people come up to me and say they’re Anglo-Indian too.
“My mum is from Australia and my dad was born in India and moved down here when he was 10. When I went to India it was really cool to see where my dad grew up and that side of my family’s culture. People always guessed I was Fijian or Indigenous.
“I think now it’s quite cool that people out there know I am Indian and it’s been nice to see some fans who are also quite proud to be Anglo-Indian.”
‘Kerr is the best’
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes: “I’ve never coached a player like her. A player that has such conviction, confidence and courage with the way she attacks everything.
“What I love about Sam the most is that she’s willing to take responsibility at the top of the pitch.
“I’ve never seen a centre forward move as much as her
“She’s a nightmare to defend [against]. Her energy levels, it’s like she’s a 12-year-old, it’s infectious, but her qualities, that’s her ability.
“I don’t know a striker in world football that can do what she does – she’s the best.”
Last season’s achievements What else should you know?No player has scored more WSL goals than Sam Kerr since she arrived in January 2020She is Australia’s all-time record goalscorerShe grew up playing Australian Rules football – and only made the switch at age 12She has a trademark backflip celebration
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