Sam Kerr has been crowned English football’s woman player of the year – and Chelsea manager Emma Hayes reckons no-one comes close to matching her Australian ace.
The Matildas captain won a huge 40 per cent of the vote in the Football Writers’ Association’s poll to find the best player in the Women’s Super League.
With her 18 goals and four assists from 18 WSL games, there could never be any real argument about Kerr deserving the award as, among the 274 players in the league, she’s the only one to have more goal involvements than games played.
The 28-year-old’s latest accolade was preceded by a warm tribute from Hayes, who had been again grateful for Kerr’s predatory instincts on Thursday with her winning header against Tottenham that pushed Chelsea closer to successfully defending their title.
(Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
“She’s such a top player, in every way,” said Hayes after the 2-1 home win.
“You go and look at her all-around stats as a centre forward and no-one comes close to her in this league – maybe worldwide.
“She works her socks off, she has the contribution to team goals, and there’s her own goalscoring record. Her work rate is phenomenal.”
Almost certain to win the Golden Boot as the WSL top scorer for a second straight season as her next individual honour, the consummate team player is still more concerned about firing Chelsea to another title.
Her goal on Thursday was the seventh straight WSL match in which she’s scored and if she finds the target in the last two games of the season, she’ll equal teammate Beth England’s record of nine in a row.
But she was only interested in helping Chelsea win their final two matches – at Birmingham on Sunday and at home to Manchester United the following week – which will guarantee a third straight title for the Blues.
“There are two games to go and we’re just going to grind through,” Kerr told Sky Sports after her latest crucial contribution at Chelsea’s Kingsmeadow home. “Get all six points and we’re champions.”
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
so you know skier but cant name a womens footballer
Marcel
Guest
BT...as was previously said, this is an opinion site...and I suspect most would agree it would be a pretty dull read if we all just agreed with each other everyday.......That appears to be threatening for you, but Ill leave that up to you to work through. Carlos Maeder is the greatest Alpine skier to ever represent Ghana...hes still not a particularly good skier.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Her technique is worse under Chelsea, she was more clinical and she was playing more games a season and training all year between NWSL and W-league. Sam Kerr is the best womens player in the world, you seem to be under the delusion there are better and know very little about womens football. You wont find a women striker anywhere near top male strikers with technique. Sam Kerrs heading is the best, and better than most of the men. Can you name a single womens player better than Kerr.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Jessica Fox is an amazing athlete who does deserve more recognition. Many others do too. You're right, it is an opinion site and I love reading the opinions of others, even when I fon't agree.
Marcel
Guest
Well this is an opinion site... Jess Fox most certainly fits your description of "amazing athlete who does not get the accolades from the Australian media that she deserves."....... But Sam Kerr?..seriously?...the local media love her... They love her to the point of being willfully blind to any of her shortcomings... like still having a hit and hope technique in front of goal and a less than elite conversion rate....though Chelsea are helping her make clear improvements in both.
Grem
Roar Rookie
3rd best female footballer in the world according to the ballon d’or (at least 2 years in a row), golden boot winner in 3 countries, voted best footballer by the football writers – that’s a lot of people and achievements to over rate her! But Marcel thinks she’s over rated!
Marcel
Guest
Yeh?......Oddly I can't think of a more over hyped athlete.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Kerr and Caitlan Ford had about the same scoring record for the Matildas 8 goals off about 50 games and both used to miss heaps of chances and score only a few of them. I think maybe the travel and heat affected her recently now being based in Europe, she is still scoring heaps though.
Grem
Roar Rookie
A fantastic player and an amazing athlete who does not get the accolades from the Australian media that she deserves.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
She's great but she has missed more shots this recent last 6 months than in the rest of her career. I hope its just a blimp on the radar.