The world of women's football stood still when Chelsea announced that Sam Kerr had ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament on January 7. The shattering news caused ruptures across the global game, once again sharply bringing the need for fresh approaches to injury prevention into focus.
While most people's first thoughts were of the mental impact the devastating blow would have on Kerr - especially during an Olympic year - once the dust had settled, attentions soon turned towards what it meant for Chelsea, the Women's Super League and world football in general.
Since the injury was confirmed, Emma Hayes - who has likely selected Kerr for the final time ahead of her exit for the U.S. women's national team this summer - has been constantly quizzed on how she plans to replace the world-class Australian.
On Sunday, we got our first clue as to her intentions for the rest of the season when Chelsea hosted West Ham in the Women's FA Cup. The fact that after the game Hayes bluntly responded to a question on potential January reinforcements with: "I don’t think anyone can replace Sam Kerr - no one in the world," gives an indication of how unconvincing the Blues looked without their main woman.