FA Cup: Sam Kerr insists Wembley is her FAVOURITE stadium ahead of showdown with Man United

Sam Kerr and Wembley didn’t get off to a great start. Her first trip to the home of English football, for the 2020 Community Shield, was called a ‘nightmare’ by BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce after the striker missed several scoring opportunities.

Chelsea and Kerr were still victorious that day, but her status and recent big-money move brought her performance under scrutiny. Almost three years later and two Wembley visits later, that ‘nightmare’ is nothing but a distant memory.

Kerr stole the show when she scored two goals in Chelsea’s FA Cup victory over Arsenal in the postponed 2021 final, before scoring twice again as the Blues retained the trophy by beating Manchester City last year.

Now Kerr says Wembley is her favorite stadium. When asked why, the smiling Aussie says, ‘Every time I go there it’s for a trophy or I’ll never have to go there!

“It’s a big stadium. You don’t go there to play any game other than for a trophy. I’ve never been there and haven’t won a trophy.’

Kerr missed several chances to score in Chelsea’s Community Shield triumph in 2020

That is what Manchester United will face on Saturday. This is their first ever visit to Wembley and the first time they have made it to the FA Cup final.

Chelsea, by comparison, are four-time winners and are looking for a third win in a row. They have also never lost to United since the club reformed their women’s team in 2018. Kerr also has an exceptional record against United – with seven goals and two assists in seven games.

The thought of losing Saturday’s final doesn’t even cross her mind.

“You can’t even think about losing,” says Kerr. That is the greatest sin of a footballer. If you think about it, it’s going to happen.

“I only think about the good things. Once you start thinking negative thoughts, that’s the only path you’re going to take. I visualize scoring a goal, the celebrations, seeing my family after the game, all the things that make me play football and become a footballer.”

The injuries to Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder have left Kerr with even more of the burden of scoring this season, but insists the pressure of producing big moments is what she lives for.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way, I think that’s why I chose to become a striker. I play this game to score goals and I don’t think about things like that – I like the pressure, I like the big games, I like having a moment in the palm of your hands and being able to do something doing great.’

Despite Chelsea’s hectic schedule, Kerr made time to play a part in the King’s coronation – leading the Australian delegation. The striker joked that she had given Prince Harry a ‘Kerr 20’ shirt to wear to the final and although the Duke of Sussex will not be attending, Football Association president Prince William will.

“I was partly worried about missing a training session because that’s just who I am, but it all worked out,” says Kerr. “It was a great honor and something I’ll probably tell my kids about in 10 to 15 years.”

After winning consecutive FA Cups at Wembley, Kerr has yet to lose in the birthplace of football

Kerr still has a few big months ahead of him with the striker set to captain the Matildas at a home World Cup this summer. The 29-year-old may be at the peak of her career, but believes the best is yet to come.

“Obviously I hope I have a lot more to give, I think I feel like I have a lot more to give. I think Emma [Hayes] struggles to calm me down because I get a little angry when I’m not playing!

“Even though I feel like there’s a game every three days, I feel like I have more to give and I still want to achieve a lot. So for me it’s about it getting better and better.

“You can’t see into the future, but I see myself getting bigger and better than what I am now and hopefully I will continue to win trophies.”