Matilda and Optus Sport Expert Amy Chapman says Australia’s captain Sam Kerr should make the move to a European League.
The comments follow reports which surfaced overnight linking Kerr to a 2-year deal with Premier League giants Chelsea valued at $1 million, which would make the Australian striker one of the highest paid women’s players in the world.
Kerr has spent the past six years playing on-and-off domestically in the United States for Western New York Flash, Sky Blue FC and Chicago Red Stars.
Chapman says Australia’s lack of big game experience was evident throughout the tournament and believes more players should look to Europe.
“I’ve been harping on about how we need to be playing in more big tournaments but we should also have more players playing in Europe,” she said on Evenings on FNR.
“If you think about all these European teams playing in Champions League finals, in these Europe Leagues, they constantly have big tournaments and big games all year round.
“I think the girls [Matildas] lack of exposure does show.
“I think for Sam Kerr specifically, yes, she should go to Europe.
“Whether she goes to the Super League in the U.K, I don’t think so, she needs to be cleaver about where she goes.
“But you still want to be playing a style that still suits you and a lifestyle that suits you. Anywhere in France, Spain – she’ll do well.”
Albeit, the Matildas captain was quick to squash such rumours following the Matildas defeat to Norway.
On beInSPORTS, English international and Juventus forward Lianne Sanderson also attested to the idea of Kerr moving away from America.
“She has to move from where she is now for her to get the accolades she deserves, I think she has to leave the Chicago Redstars,” she said.
“She’s been in America for a long time, but for her career to progress she needs to move to a top, top team.” Sanderson said on beInSPORTS’ coverage of the Women’s World Cup.
