Lauren James named Chelsea Women's Player of the Season after sparkling 2023-24 campaign for Emma Hayes' side with Lionesses team-mate Jess Carter also winning award

Chelsea's End of Season Awards night has seen Lionesses stars James and Carter pick up prizes after impressive campaigns with the Blues. James has claimed the main prize following a stunning year where she has scored 13 goals in just 15 Women's Super League games. Carter has also played an integral role in defence and picked up the Players' Player of the Year trophy.

It's been an eventful season for Chelsea, with the club announcing in November that manager Emma Hayes would leave at the end of the season. Hayes looked on course to guide Chelsea to the Champions League final but saw the Blues knocked out in the last four after letting a first-leg lead slip against Barcelona. Chelsea are still battling for the WSL title, with Sunday's 8-0 win over Bristol City seeing Hayes' team now three points behind leaders Manchester City with a game in hand and a better goal difference.

After collecting the award she said: "Thanks to all my players and staff that are around every day and put up with me as well. It's been one of my most successful seasons and hopefully I can continue to do that for Chelsea."

James netted the first WSL hat-trick of her career in a 5-1 win over Liverpool in November. The Lionesses star went on to grab another hat-trick in January against former side Manchester United.

Chelsea have just two games left in the WSL season. The Blues head to Tottenham on Wednesday and then finish off against Manchester United on Saturday, May 18. Hayes will then depart for her new job with the USWNT, while Lyon's Sonia Bompastor is expected to take over as Chelsea Women's new boss.