Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a pre-season match against Feyenoord, according to a statement from the Women’s Super League champions. The 33-year-old, who captains Wales, had to be substituted in the second half of Chelsea’s 9-0 victory over the Dutch side earlier this month and is set to undergo surgery.
Chelsea confirmed that after consulting with the club’s medical team and a knee specialist, Ingle will have surgery soon, followed by a rehabilitation period at the club.
Ingle’s injury adds her to a growing list of notable Women’s Super League players who have faced ACL injuries, which includes Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Manchester City’s Jill Roord. The prevalence of ACL injuries has been rising in women’s sports; in December, UEFA established a women’s health expert panel to investigate the increasing occurrences of such injuries among female athletes.
FIFPRO, the global soccer players’ union, stated that factors such as heightened workloads, travel, and inadequate rest are contributing to the surge of injuries, including torn ACLs among professional women players.
Chelsea is set to play against Aston Villa in their first match of the new WSL season on Friday.