OPINION: Player of the Match accolade a sign that Chelsea striker is back in unstoppable form

Chelsea striker Fran Kirby’s Player of the Match award collected in last night’s England ’11 v 11′ friendly is yet another sign that the she is getting back to her unstoppable best.

The 27-year-old Reading-born forward was a shell of her normal self this time 12 months ago before being diagnosed with pericarditis, an illness which ruled her out of most of last season.

Kirby’s return to good health has been pretty emphatic. She starred for Chelsea as they lifted the FA Women’s Community Shield last month, outshining some of the biggest stars on the pitch, while she has also impressed for club and country in the three games that have followed. The forward teed up Sam Kerr for the Chelsea goal in the season opener at Manchester United before netting her first goal since her return against Bristol City at Kingsmeadow last weekend. There was an element of luck about the strike but it was the kind of luck which a forward has when they are in form and everything goes their way.

Last night saw Kirby’s return to the international fold for the first time since last summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. It may have only been a training match at St George’s Park but Kirby was crowned the Player of the Match after providing a couple of assists for Ellen White and Ella Toone. Her performance was one of a player at the top of her game, you would simply not have believed the emotional journey that Kirby has been on in the last 12 months.

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has made some big signings in the transfer market this summer but the biggest plus has been the return of Kirby. Hayes has got her world class striker back firing on all cylinders just months on from the player’s footballing career looking uncertain.

A very impressive return to the #Lionesses.

Your @bt_uk player of the match, @frankirby! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/15a5isOGI6

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) September 18, 2020