Chelsea manager Emma Hayes gives update on Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr contracts
Emma Hayes has insisted that Chelsea fans should not "panic" that Fran Kirby's contract expires this summer.
Kirby, 30, has returned to full fitness this season after missing the World Cup in the summer with a knee problem, helping her team reach top spot in the Women's Super League after 10 games.
The England international has looked close to her best form since regaining her place in the team. But her long-term future at the Blues appears uncertain, with her contract expiring in June and manager Hayes departing herself at the end of the season, when she joins the US women's national team.
Hayes has helped nurture Kirby into one of the best No.10's in world football since signing her from hometown club Reading back in 2015. But the Chelsea manager believes it is normal for players to still be negotiating contract renewals at this stage in the season, urging supporters to stay calm.
"I think when it comes to Fran, it's not unusual for players to go into the last six months of their contract," Hayes said. "Fran knows that our goal with her is to keep her on the pitch for 100 percent of the season not less than 50 percent. She understands that and sometimes she's a bit impatient.
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"She wants to do everything at once but we know what a talent she is, we know what we can expect from Fran and I'm sure, again, when the club and the player and all of the people involved with that have something to announce on that front, they will.
"But I don't think anybody should be too panicked just because of the timelines. We have worked over 11 years to put in place a structure to make sure we're always planning and preparing and I think Chelsea and its future is still in a very, very good place."
Superstar striker Sam Kerr, who recently suffered a season-ending ACL injury, is also yet to formally ink a fresh deal, but Hayes again gave the club supporters hope with a positive update.
"With the announcement last week, the focus for Sam right now is on rehab," Hayes said. "I'm sure when the time is right to discuss her future, that time will come from Sam and the club. But Sam loves Chelsea and Chelsea loves Sam so I think that's the most important thing to say on that front."
Although Chelsea are top of the league and on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League last eight, it hasn't all been plain sailing so far this season. The Blues will have to cope without defender and captain Millie Bright for the immediate future after she picked up an injury in November.
With Bright out of action, the WSL Champions have moved swiftly in the January transfer window to sign defender Nathalie Bjorn from Everton. But Hayes revealed rather than being a reactive signing due to Bright's injury, Chelsea had actually tracked the Swedish international for some time.
Nathalie Bjorn has joined Chelsea from WSL rivals Everton"She’s always been a player that’s been on our radar," she explained. "We felt that, when she went to Everton, she was a player we looked to recruit then, but we had Magda, we had Millie. It wasn’t the time, we had a young Jess coming through.
"We felt that she needed time in the WSL and I think with that experience that she’s got in the last two-and-a-half years at Everton, has readied her for the moment to be at Chelsea. It’s the right time. I can see she’s a natural leader. She’s a ball progressor. I think she will help our build-up."
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