<\/p>\n
Emma Hayes is confident Sam Kerr\u2019s absence will not derail Chelsea\u2019s defence of the Women\u2019s Super League title.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After undergoing surgery to repair her ACL, Kerr will watch on from home as the champions return to league action against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Hayes believes her players are perfectly capable of coping without the 30-year-old hotshot for the rest of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Blues boss said: \u201cSam has had the surgery, yes. The first part is recovering from the surgery and letting the swelling go down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is still in that phase at the moment but she is doing well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reality is there are top players in our team who are capable of contributing to the goals. It\u2019s important they step up.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo matter who you are, everyone has to take responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chelsea returned from the winter break last weekend with a 3-1 victory over London rivals West Ham in the FA Cup.<\/p>\n
They needed extra-time to see off the Hammers but Hayes took plenty of positives from the game, including the debut of new signing Nathalie Bjorn following her switch from Everton.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cNathalie has settled in so well. She is a natural leader and very confident in her abilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u2018She is a goal threat.\u2019 \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n
Emma Hayes has been full of praise for Academy graduate Aggie Beever-Jones, as the Blues prepare for Sunday\u2019s @BarclaysWSL<\/a> game against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. \ud83d\udcaa pic.twitter.com\/Mg1lrqBZT1<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 18, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u201cWhat is helpful is she knows the league, has played against every team, is prepared to play in the WSL. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe is a player we have been looking at for a long time and we felt the time was right given her age and experience. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe has come in and hit the ground running \u2014 and I thought she made a massive impact when she came on against West Ham. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe has had a good training week but, of course, we\u2019re still adapting to her and vice versa. However, I don\u2019t think she could\u2019ve asked for a better start.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nNext up\u2026<\/p>\n
Chelsea vs Manchester United. Stamford Bridge. \u270a\ud83d\udd35<\/p>\n
\u2014 Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 17, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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