EMMA HAYES warns Chelsea followers have to be affected person on the subject of hopes of seeing Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby beginning collectively this time period.
The prolific duo are but to characteristic in Hayes’ first XI this season with the Blues boss rigorously managing their returns.
Sam Kerr got here off the bench for Chelsea of their WSL conflict with Manchester Metropolis final day tripCredit score: Getty
In latest Kerr and Fran Kirby have developed a prolific attacking partnership for ChelseaCredit score: Getty
West Ham would be the Blues’ subsequent opponents of their first WSL sport at Kingsmeadow this time periodCredit score: Getty
Kerr, who has bagged 86 objectives in 110 Chelsea video games, was a second-half substitute throughout the title-holders’ dramatic draw with Manchester Metropolis final Sunday.
It was the Blues’ striker’s first top-flight look since her return to health from a calf damage sustained on World Cup obligation with Australia.
Hayes, whose staff hosts West Ham at Kingsmeadow on Saturday, mentioned: “Sure – Sam performed video games within the World Cup on the again finish.
“However she didn’t practice that complete interval.
“She then had a few weeks break then had the identical damage, so she’s solely had one week’s coaching. We have now to be conscious of that.
“Sam has had her first full coaching week and is obtainable for choice.
“However you’ve got to make selections on what’s proper for Sam in the long run, and never simply quick selections.
“That’s as a result of the group will bear in mind and wish to see sure partnerships collectively.
“As soccer managers, I don’t suppose individuals actually realise generally you’re managing so many different issues that will not all the time will let you put gamers and combos of gamers collectively.
“We’re getting nearer to it and we’re one other week nearer, so I’m comfortable for that cause.
“I feel for the gamers, they’re simply getting again into the rhythm of being there.
“Coaches all the time need coaching weeks, so I’d a lot somewhat be in that place, however gamers all the time need video games.”
Kerr and Kirby have fashioned a deadly attacking partnership in latest seasons
Of their first yr collectively throughout the Blues’ 2020-21 marketing campaign, the team-mates scored and assisted 13 instances as a duo.
Their prolific shows performed a key half in Chelsea claiming the second of 4 consecutive WSL titles they’ve received since 2019.
Nonetheless the second half of final time period noticed Kirby sidelined from knee damage sustained in March throughout a Conti Cup duel with West Ham.
Hayes, whose staff have one win and one draw, added: “With Fran Kirby – sure, she’s had a pre-season.
“However she has missed a big chunk of final season, so we’re constructing notably Fran into the season.
“That is the primary week we’ve had Sam with the ability to practice with the staff in its entirety and had Fran on the similar time, and Lauren on the similar time.
“I feel this week, we’ve seemed way more like ourselves.”
Chelsea’s Saturday night conflict with West Ham will see them play at Kingsmeadow for the primary time this time period.
Their earlier dwelling sport – held at Stamford Bridge – noticed them seal a 2-1 win towards Tottenham with James and summer-signing Mia Fischel each netting in entrance of
On how the Kingsmeadow and Stamford Bridge atmospheres evaluate, Hayes mentioned: “I’m a bit old fashioned so I like Kingsmeadow.
“I like the sensation of the group on prime of you.
“I just like the banter you get from the away followers, I get pleasure from all of that. It makes me chuckle throughout a sport.
“However from the place I sit (at Kingsmeadow) I can see this part of our longest-serving, most ardent followers singing their tunes.
“And you’ll’t hear that within the largest stadiums however I for positive can hear it at Kingsmeadow. I like being there. It’s our different dwelling.”
Saturday’s sport will see Chelsea face Rehanne Skinner’s Irons with out the providers of Fischel and Guro Reiten with each presently crocked.
West Ham have received two of their final three video games throughout all competitions below their new boss Rehanne SkinnerCredit score: PA
And Hayes is anticipating a troublesome encounter seventh-placed West Ham facet going through Chelsea for the primary time below Skinner.
The Blues boss added: “West Ham have all of the qualities to do properly, notably due to the way in which the entrance two work.
“We predict they’ve performed very well in pre-season and of their first two video games from what we’ve analysed. We actually don’t underestimate them.”