Chelsea start WSL title defence with Kerr in squad for City

Chelsea begin their defence of a sixth successive Womens Super League crown on Friday when they host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, with coach Sonia Bompastor confirming striker Sam Kerr will be included in the squad for the season opener. The match kicks off the 2025-26 WSL campaign, which runs from September 5 to May 17 and features newly promoted London City Lionesses as the 20th club in the division.

Kerr, who ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament while training with Chelsea in January 2024, has not played for the club since December 2023. Bompastor said the Australia captain has trained well and is in a good physical and mental place, but cautioned fans to be patient as she regains full match sharpness. "She is in the squad. We do not know yet if she will start or not," Bompastor told reporters. The forward's return is also seen as positive for Australia ahead of the Women's Asian Cup next year.

Chelsea arrive at Stamford Bridge as overwhelming domestic favourites after an unbeaten 2024-25 season that delivered a domestic treble. Opta's season simulation model gives Chelsea a commanding probability of lifting the title again, and bookmakers make the Blues heavy...