Speculation is mounting that Sam Kerr will depart club team Chelsea at the end of the domestic season for a big-money move to America. Kerr and the Matildas were left heartbroken on Saturday night after going down 1-0 to Japan in the Asian Cup final.
The Australian superstar will now return to her club team in England’s Women’s Super League (WSL), but reports have emerged that she might be playing her final few games for Chelsea. The Times and The Athletic have both reported that Kerr is ‘expected’ to depart Chelsea at the end of the season.
Kerr is only contracted until the end of this season, and The Athletic is reporting that her exit is “an eventuality”. It’s believed Chelsea have considered offering Kerr a one-year extension, with the 32-year-old still building back to her best after a long layoff due to an ACL injury.
A move to America would allow Sam Kerr’s wife Kristie to be closer to family. Image: Getty/Sam Kerr
But Kerr is believed to be weighing up a move to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in America that would come with a big payday. Crucial to the situation is the fact that Kerr’s wife Kristie Mewis is from America, and a move to play in the States would allow them and son Jagger to live near Mewis’ family. In London they’re both living on the other side of the world to their families.
Speaking last week, English legend Ian Wright said it would be “quite disrespectful” for Chelsea to only offer Kerr a one-year deal. “She is unbelievable, one of the best in the world,” Wright said on the ‘Crossways’ podcast.
“To not give her that kind of contract where she can say, ‘Right, I can ease myself into it’, instead of trying to give her maybe another year then she’s rushing to try and do stuff. I think they should sign her up and on a good deal, not a (one) year.”
Co-host Steph Houghton said: “I think it would be stupid if she didn’t stay from a Chelsea point of view, because of what she’s done for however many seasons in the WSL.”
Sam Kerr and Millie Bright are both expected to leave Chelsea.
(Chelsea FC via Getty Images)’Life-changing’ money on offer in American soccer
Reports have also stated that fellow Chelsea star Mille Bright likely won’t be back next season either. The international stars could earn major money in America based off some other recent deals.
Trinity Rodman is the highest-paid player in the NWSL, earning $2.8 million over a three-year deal with Washington Spirit. But Kerr’s current Chelsea teammate Catarina Macario looks set to blow that out of the water.
Could Sam Kerr and Catarina Macario both be headed to America?
(Jack Thomas via Getty Images)
Macario is reportedly set to sign with San Diego Wave on a deal worth $11m over five years. At $2.2m per season, it would comfortably be the largest contract of any player in women’s football history
“If there are contracts like that being handed out, there is no way that’s not going to turn the heads of a WSL player (in England),” Wright said. “I know Sam Kerr at 32, she is obviously a lot older than Macario, but if I am a NWSL owner and I have the capability and money to bring Sam Kerr over, I would bring her.”
Houghton added: “It’s life-changing money. It would be a shame for the WSL if a player like Sam Kerr, who has scored that many goals and been the icon for some many years, did go to a different league.”