The 24-year-old was in fine form for the Blues, especailly during the second half of the 2025/26 campaign, as we lifted the Women’s League Cup and secured automatic qualification for the UEFA Women’s Champions League with a third-place finish in the Women’s Super League.

James contributed seven goals and four assists in her 25 Chelsea appearances across all competitions last term, and made her 100th appearance for the club in our League Cup semi-final win over Manchester City.

The PFA Players’ Player of the Year award is chosen by fellow professional footballers, with the top six announced now ahead of the winner’s reveal.

James will be up against five other nominees for the award – Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa), Jess Park (Manchester United), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Yui Hasegawa and Bunny Shaw (Both Manchester City).

The winner will be announced when the PFA comes together for the 2026 edition of its annual awards ceremony at the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday 25 August.