It was announced yesterday that England won the award that was voted by The Athletic’s cast of writers, with team-mates Guro Reiten and Sophie Ingle also being among those shortlisted.

England has been instrumental for Emma Hayes’ Chelsea this season having scored 21 goals in all competitions, with 14 of them coming in the Women’s Super League making her the league joint-top scorer alongside Vivianne Miedema of Arsenal.

The 25-year-old was key to the Blues’ Continental League Cup final success in February having netted both goals in our dramatic 2-1 victory over Arsenal.

Her excellent form has been recognised plenty of times so far this campaign, picking up Barclays Women’s Super League player of the month honours as well as the PFA Bristol Street Motor fans’ player of the month award at the start of the year.

The Athletic’s Michael Cox said: ‘Fourteen goals in 15 games speaks for itself. Her aggressive sprinting in the channels and calmness in front of goal make her formidable in full flow.

‘So many highlights: the chip up and shot to turn the crucial home game against Arsenal, the Bergkamp-esque control and finish of a Millie Bright diagonal ball away at Birmingham, and the classic strike partnership play with Sam Kerr against Reading.’

England was also named in the women’s team of the year alongside Reiten, Ingle, Magdalena Eriksson and Maren Mjelde.

The other players largely come from Arsenal and Manchester City, but there is also a Reading representative.

The full team is:

GK: Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City).

DEF: Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea), Maren Mjelde (Chelsea), Gemma Bonner (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal).

MID: Guro Reiten (Chelsea), Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Fara Williams (Reading).

ATT: Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal), Bethany England (Chelsea).