England legend Fara Williams has cast doubt on whether Chelsea's world record signing of Mayra Ramirez is the right move to replace injured Sam Kerr.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Williams questions Ramirez signingColombian joined for world record feeExpected to replace injured KerrWHAT HAPPENED?
With Kerr out until next season due to an ACL injury, retired midfielder Williams suggested that her former club should have enough to get by without her thanks to a combination of United States striker Mia Fishel, signed just last summer, and Lionesses pair Lauren James and Fran Kirby. The 40-year-old questioned the motive behind splashing out so much cash on Ramirez.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT WILLIAMS SAID
Discussing the situaiton on , Williams said: "I'm not sure she's the ideal replacement for Sam Kerr in the short term. Will she still play alongside Sam Kerr if Kerr signs a new contract after this year when she comes back from an ACL? How [will] that look for her as a player fighting in this Chelsea team?
"Fishel can play up there, and I think she gives them a different dynamic when they play. Play into her, she's very good at holding up the ball players can work off of her – something Chelsea have never been able to do before. Lauren James as a false nine, Fran Kirby who for whatever reason isn’t really playing that much at Chelsea. I know she played at the weekend against Brighton, but if they can get her playing regularly I think she's a good enough replacement, between her and James."
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ramirez was unveiled as a Chelsea player just under three weeks after the club shared news of Kerr's ACL injury. The deal was confirmed by Levante to be worth up to £427,000 ($539,000) if all add-ons are triggered, surpassing the previous record that took Keira Walsh from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022. The Colombian played the last 23 minutes of Chelsea's WSL win over Brighton last weekend but wasn't eligible for the final Champions League group game against Paris FC in midweek.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ramirez started and played the full 90 minutes of Colombia's World Cup quarter-final defeat to England last summer, directly facing her now Chelsea team-mates Millie Bright and Jess Carter.
