The England international received more than 30 per cent of the fan vote and will be presented with her 2025/26 Player of the Season award ahead of our Women’s Super League fixture against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. 

After helping England retain the European Championship last summer, James’ start to the season was delayed by injury. Yet she quickly made up for lost time, forcing an own goal on her return in our UEFA Women’s Champions League win over St Polten. 

She went from strength to strength during the second half of the campaign, scoring ten goals and registering three assists in 17 matches. She also surpassed 100 appearances for the Blues.

One of her goals came in the League Cup final, where James set us on the way to a 2-0 victory over Manchester United and was named player of the match.

After signing a new four-year contract in March, James produced another memorable moment in the Champions League against Arsenal, scoring a stunning left-footed strike from distance. 

She also claimed a goal and assist in a triumph over Aston Villa, and struck an excellent brace at Leicester City as the Blues sealed European football for next season. 

Having also been named Player of the Season at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, James becomes the fourth Chelsea Women’s player to receive the award for a second occasion, following in the footsteps of club legends Fran Kirby, Sam Kerr and Erin Cuthbert. 

Congratulations, LJ!