This year's Women's World Cup did not go entirely to plan for Sam Kerr.

Australia's captain missed the entire group stage with injury as the hosts progressed into the last 16.

After cameos from the bench in the knockout rounds against Denmark and France, she scored in the semi-final against England but could not prevent her side falling to a 3-1 defeat.

As Kerr prepares for Chelsea's clash with Tottenham in their opening game of the new Women's Super League season, we consider what the coming campaign could bring for one of the division's best players.

Resilience

Kerr's character has helped her reach the top level of the women's game and no one will be expecting a hangover from a difficult summer.

She said: "For me, being resilient is one of the biggest things I've learned in my career. 

"Even when you're not injured, you need resilience to get back up game after game and training session after training session.

"During that World Cup, it was really important for me to show how resilient I am as a person, as a player and as a team-mate. And that's something that got me through.

"I've been in those kinds of situations before but it was difficult. 

"But at the end of the day, the team was the most important thing and that's when my morals of being a good team player really came to life."

High standards

Chelsea won the WSL title in 2022-23 and Kerr was typically influential, although her goal return dropped slightly.

After scoring 20 times in 20 league appearances the previous season — and 21 in 22 the year before that — she managed to net 12 in 21 games last term.

By her extremely high standards, Kerr would probably have been hoping for more.

Nonetheless, the 30-year-old outperformed her xG of 10.7 and provided five assists as she played an instrumental role in Emma Hayes' team.

Responsibility

Much of Chelsea's success in recent years has been spearheaded by Kerr — something Hayes has acknowledged.

She said: "I've never coached a player like [Kerr]. A player that has such conviction, confidence and courage with the way she attacks everything.

"But what I love about Sam is that she's willing to take responsibility at the top of the pitch."

Title tilt

Chelsea will hope Kerr takes responsibility again this season as they go in search of a fifth consecutive WSL triumph.

The former Perth Glory and Chicago Red Stars striker has never failed to hit double figures in a full WSL campaign and will be targeting a best-ever tally.

She said: "I'm always confident in our team — we have one of the best teams in the world and we have a great manager.

"We've also made some big signings this year, so if we can build on what we had last year it's going to be a really good team.

"But other teams around us have got better too, so we have to stay focused.

"That's the thing I love about football — it's always challenging. But I have full belief that we'll take that fifth title."