Kirby has been a key figure for Chelsea this season, helping the Blues secure the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and Continental League Cup, and reach our first Champions League final.

The 27-year-old spent large periods of last season on the sidelines due to illness, but the forward returned to her best and has been in scintillating form for the Blues this season.

Playing on the right as part of an attacking front three, Kirby has drawn praise for her technical ability, work ethic and capability to produce stand-out performances for Emma Hayes’ side.

On our way to securing back-to-back WSL titles, Kirby netted 16 times in 18 appearances and provided 11 assists, which is more goal contributions than other player in the league.

Kirby has been a key figure for Chelsea this season, helping the Blues secure the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and Continental League Cup, and reach our first Champions League final.

The 27-year-old spent large periods of last season on the sidelines due to illness, but the forward returned to her best and has been in scintillating form for the Blues this season.

Playing on the right as part of an attacking front three, Kirby has drawn praise for her technical ability, work ethic and capability to produce stand-out performances for Emma Hayes’ side.

On our way to securing back-to-back WSL titles, Kirby netted 16 times in 18 appearances and provided 11 assists, which is more than any other player in the league.

Kirby continued her fine form on the European stage and finished as our Champions League top goalscorer with six goals in nine appearances.

The No.14 netted a brace in the opening game of our Champions League campaign against Benfica to become Chelsea Women’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Kirby, who joined from Reading in 2015, overtook former Chelsea forward Eni Aluko at the top of the goal scoring charts, and has now scored an impressive 90 goals in 134 appearances for the Blues.

She netted in the Continental League Cup final and also had a hand in our five other goals as Chelsea beat Bristol City 6-0 to retain our League Cup title.

In March, it was confirmed fans' favourite Kirby is here to stay as she committed her future to the club.

Kirby signed a contract extension to keep her at the club until the summer of 2023, with the club having an option to extend for a further 12 months, and many Blues fans will be hoping for much more of the same from our Player of the Year over the coming years.

Chelsea Player of the Year winners:

2015 – Eni Aluko

2016 – Katie Chapman

2017 – Karen Carney

2018 – Fran Kirby

2019 – Erin Cuthbert

2020 – Bethany England

2021 – Fran Kirby