Chelsea and England star Fran Kirby is nearing a return to the pitch after missing major time due to illness. The 26-year-old was diagnosed with pericarditis, a rare inflammation of tissue surrounding the heart, back in November and hasn't played since.
The illness typically has a two-week recovery time, but Kirby has been sidelined for over three months. The England international was without any energy in the early stages of pericarditis, sleeping around 15 hours each day, but Kirby is now back with the Blues on a day-to-day basis and is nearing a return to full training.
— Fran Kirby (@frankirby) January 9, 2020
“I am feeling 100 times better compared to when this started,” Kirby said. “I was struggling with understanding how it happened and why it happened as I was feeling good with no injuries and enjoying training with the team so it was frustrating at the time. When I became ill the frustration went away as I didn’t even have the energy to be frustrated, I had no emotion as I was too tired. It took over my life in a negative way, I couldn’t even get up to make food.”
With the forward's energy back, her presence alone should inspire the Chelsea squad with one of its stars close to returning to the pitch, but the team is straying away from rushing her back into the lineup.
“Fran is a massively important part of our squad and she knows that,” said Chelsea manager Emma Hayes. “But while winning football matches is important, it is not more important than her health. Good health is the priority in our culture, and her good health matters above and beyond anything else."
Kirby is an important player on a loaded Chelsea team, even though the Blues have had no trouble winning in her absence. Chelsea is undefeated after 14 FA WSL matches with a record of 12 wins and two draws.
But Kirby's performance in last year's Champions League — where she scored five goals and helped Chelsea reach the semifinals — says it all.
The club's early dominance without Kirby will be tested as they face first place Manchester City on Sunday, Feb. 23, at Academy Stadium in Manchester.
.@FranKirby has spoken for the first time about her absence from the team…
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) February 17, 2020
