Sam Kerr has won every domestic trophy since joining Chelsea and now she is determined to lift the Champions League.
Chelsea came close in 2021 during Kerr's first full season, but they were beaten 4-0 by Barcelona in the final.
While that was a "painful" defeat, Kerr says crashing out in the group stage last season is the real driving force for Chelsea ahead of the first leg of their quarter-final at holders Lyon tonight. The Blues slumped to a 4-0 defeat against Wolfsburg in their final group game, as a Covid outbreak in the squad caused chaos.
"I think the one that is burning in our brain at the moment is the Wolfsburg defeat and getting knocked out in the group stage," Kerr tells Standard Sport. "That one really, really hurt. I think that is what we will take into this year more than the Champions League Final.
I could have stayed and sat comfortably in America and Australia, but I knew that to become what I wanted to become, I had to leave.
"I am really excited to play Lyon. It will be an amazing experience: two powerhouses going at it. If I could choose any trophy to win this year, I'd choose the Champions League."
Kerr has enjoyed incredible success since moving to Chelsea in January 2020 from US side Chicago Red Stars. The striker has won three Women's Super Leagues, two FA Cups and League Cups, scoring 83 goals in 103 appearances.
Kerr has been in lethal form in the Champions League this season, scoring five goals, as Chelsea topped their group undefeated.
Playing in the Champions League was a big factor in Kerr joining Chelsea. The Australian loves competing on the big stage and is relishing playing at the 59,000-seater OL Stadium tonight and Stamford Bridge next week.
"I want to be someone that is entertaining, that's fun, that scores goals, does good celebrations," Kerr says. "I have always liked those players that have just been entertainers. I love the big-time players. I love LeBron James, Serena Williams, those players that are consistently at the top of their game. Even now I like those kind of out-there players, even if it’s just their hair, their kit. But I understand being at the top level you have to do that dirty work."
Kerr believes that coming to England has improved her game, forcing her to sometimes play "gritty football".
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes signed Kerr for her ability to run in behind and score goals, but the striker has developed her hold-up and link play to become a more rounded player.
"I could have stayed and sat comfortably in America and Australia, but I knew that to become what I wanted to become, I had to leave," says Kerr.
"I do like being in my comfort zone, everyone does! But I just knew if I wanted to take my game to the next level, I had to go somewhere else. I knew I had more. The investment that has gone into the women's game in England has allowed female athletes to be the best they can be. The level of play in the last two years has exploded."
Kerr's career has taken her to Chicago, New York and Sydney, but London is becoming her favourite city.
"It's amazing" says Kerr, who was named WSL Player of the Year at the London Football Awards last week. "I love it, other than the weather. If the weather was good and the traffic and the one-way roads were gone…"
You cannot have it all, although if Kerr wins the Champions League, maybe it is proof that you can.
