PFA Player of the Year: Fran Kirby or Sam Kerr? BBC pundits’ WSL verdict

When Chelsea brought Kerr, then added Pernille Harder last summer, many assumed – me included – that Kirby, who missed the majority of the 2019-20 season with a virus, would have to accept secondary status at Chelsea. I remember there was even talk of her being sold to make way for Chelsea’s new-look attack…

Kirby not only fought her way into the Chelsea team, she has been their star player.

She is coming into her prime at 27 and is making up for lost time after a long spell on the sidelines last season. Kirby has 16 goals and 11 assists in the WSL this season – only Kerr, with 28, has more goal contributions in that competition, and their partnership is a huge reason why Chelsea have been so dominant this season.

It rightfully took Kerr some time to settle into the team but it’s been Kirby who has brought the best out of the Australian and can take a lot of the credit for Kerr’s Golden Boot award.

Kirby has been the WSL’s best player on merit, which is incredible when you consider that 18 months ago she wasn’t fit enough to climb the stairs due to pericarditis. It’s been a delight watching her make her comeback and be the best player in the league.