Haaland has been named on the six-player shortlist for the men’s category after scoring 27 goals last season to finish as the Premier League’s top scorer.

James’ selection in the women’s category means she could become the first woman to win both the PFA young player of the year and PFA player of the year awards in the same year.

The 22-year-old was on Monday named on the young player of the year shortlist.

Haaland is joined on the men’s shortlist by team-mates Phil Foden and Rodri, while Chelsea striker Cole Palmer, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins are also included.

On the women’s shortlist, James’ Chelsea team-mates Niamh Charles and Erin Cuthbert feature, along with Manchester City trio Yui Hasegawa, Lauren Hemp and Khadija Shaw.

The award winners will be announced on Tuesday, 20 August.

Title holders have three players on the list, while Palmer’s season recognised

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Cole Palmer had 33 goal involvements for Chelsea last season

Haaland is one of three players from Premier League winners Manchester City on the six-person shortlist for the men’s award.

Foden, a two-time PFA young player of the year, enjoyed a superb season under Pep Guardiola, scoring 27 goals, and became the the youngest player to win six Premier League titles.

Rodri, a European Championship winner with his country this summer, is included after consistently impressive displays in the heart of Manchester City’s midfield.

Former Manchester City youngster Palmer is included after a superb debut season at Chelsea.

The striker, who on Monday was also shortlisted for the young player of the year award, had more goal involvements than any other player in the league with 22 goals and 11 assists.

Arsenal’s Odegaard, who was also on last year’s player of the year shortlist, is recognised after providing eight assists from midfield last season, as well as scoring eight goals.

Watkins’ excellent performances last season was recognised by his fellow players after he helped Aston Villa finish fourth in the Premier League. He scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists.

Chelsea and Man City players dominate women’s category

The shortlist for the women’s player of the year is made up exclusively of players from Chelsea and Manchester City.

James is recognised for scoring 13 goals in 16 games to help Chelsea win the Women’s Super League.

Cuthbert’s consistent performances in the Chelsea midfield as they won the title has been recognised by her fellow players as she makes the top six.

Chelsea captain Charles is also included after playing every league game last season to lead the Blues to the title.

Manchester City’s Bunny Shaw makes the shortlist after she finished last season as the league’s top scorer with 22 goals – eight more than any other player.

Her team-mate Hemp, a four-time young player of the year, makes the senior shortlist for the first time after scoring 13 goals last term.

The third City player on the shortlist, Hasegawa, is included after an impressive season in midfield and could become the first Japanese winner of the award.

James, 21, was sent off for stamping on the back of Michelle Alozie in the last 16-tie, which England won on penalties.

The dismissal came with an automatic one-game ban which Fifa has increased, meaning she will miss the semi-final if England get there.

The Lionesses face Colombia in the quarter-finals on Saturday (11:30 BST).

James is England’s top scorer in the tournament, having scored three goals, as well as assisting three more, in the group stages.

The Chelsea forward apologised to Alozie on social media after the incident and promised to learn from her mistake.

After the game, England boss Sarina Wiegman said: “She is inexperienced on this stage and in a split-second lost her emotions. It isn’t something she did on purpose. She apologised and felt really bad.

“She would never want to hurt someone. She is the sweetest person I know.”

If the Lionesses are knocked out of the World Cup on Saturday, James’ ban will carry over to England’s next international fixture.

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She was sent off following a VAR review for stamping on Michelle Alozie’s back in a tie England won on penalties.

James will be suspended for Saturday’s quarter-final against Colombia.

“All my love and respect to you. I am sorry for what happened,” she said on social media to Alozie.

“Also, for our England fans and my teammates, playing with and for you is my greatest honour and I promise to learn from my experience.”

The 21-year-old was one of the stars of England’s group games, with three goals and three assists.

Fifa could extend her ban to more than one game – which could see her miss the rest of the tournament even if England go all the way.

Nigeria’s Alozie, who plays for Houston Dash in the US, had posted: “We are playing on the world’s stage.

“This game is one of passion, insurmountable emotions, and moments. All respect for Lauren James.”

After the game, England boss Sarina Wiegman said: “She is inexperienced on this stage and in a split-second lost her emotions. It isn’t something she did on purpose. She apologised and felt really bad.

“She would never want to hurt someone. She is the sweetest person I know.”

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Last year, Reece and Lauren James made history when they became the first brother and sister to play for England.

It’s astounding that two talented footballers of the men’s and women’s game are even playing professionally, not to mention pulling on a Three Lions shirt and representing their country.

But the London-born pair are living the dream. Part of their success is due to their incredible father, Nigel.

A motorbike accident halted his promising career, after spells at Luton Town and Southampton.

Nigel found his true calling through mentoring youngsters and later set up Nigel James Elite Coaching programme.

It’s testament to him, his son and his daughter would eventually become pros.

• PARKLIFE

Reece, 21, and Lauren, 19, grew up in London with football an ongoing backdrop in their lives.

As well as a father with footballing aspirations, their elder brother Joshua was on the books of Fulham and Reading. Their mother Emma worked admirably for the NHS.

If the three siblings weren’t kicking a ball against a wall, they would be down the park honing their skills.

Often, their dad would pass on his knowledge and put the three through training drills and exercises.

Lauren and Reece have always shared a tight bond together

The siblings grew up in London with football as their backdrop

Dad Nigel coached Reece, Lauren and their brother Joshua in the local park

“We grew up as a three,” Reece of Chelsea proudly told the Blues official website.

“Obviously, Josh learned from my dad and then it just passed its way down. I started playing because my brother played, and my sister played because I played.

“We all used to play every day together at the park and over time we gradually got better. There was a field behind my house, with two pitches, and every day I’d be playing football, either in the field or in the street.”

Lauren, a striker for Manchester United, echoes the sentiment that the beautiful game dominated their lives.

“All I ever knew was football, football and football,” she told The Telegraph.

“My brothers got me into football. Whether it was when Josh was at Fulham or when Reece was at the Chelsea academy, I was there kicking the ball against the fence.

“I’ve always had a football and it has just taken me to where I am now.”

• PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

Reece was an early bloomer when it came to his footballing talent.

By the age of six he joined Chelsea’s impressive development academy, where he progressed through the ranks.

James joined Chelsea’s youth set-up aged six

James progressed through Chelsea’s youth teams and won a FA Youth CupCredit: Getty – Contributor

However, it took him some time to find his best position. He started off as a striker, moved into midfield and then had to learn the art of defending.

Once he cemented the right-back as his own, there was no stopping him. In the 2017-18 season, he appeared for England at U18, U19 and U20 level.

A loan at Wigan Athletic the following campaign saw Reece named as their Player of the Year.

Once he made his debut against Grimsby in the EFL Cup in 2019, scoring one and assisting two, he could no longer be ignored for a first-team spot.

Lauren might be slightly younger than Reece, but her achievements are just as impressive.

At 13 she joined Arsenal, and because of her experience with playing with her brothers was encouraged to train with the boys’ team.

Two years later, the prolific forward made her first-team debut for the Gunners women’s team – beating Reece to the punch there.

She created history in the process becoming the youngest player in Arsenal’s history male or female to make their bow for the club.

In 2017, she moved to the newly reformed Manchester United women’s team to take on a new challenge in a city she never knew.

In 2017, Lauren James joined Manchester United’s newly formed women’s team Credit: Getty

Since joining the Red Devils, James has thrived scoring 27 goals in 54 games Credit: Getty

But that didn’t deter the brave teen, who scored 14 goals in 18 league games as the Red Devils won promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking to the Women’s Super League.

• BATTLING RACISM TOGETHER

As is a sad indictment of our times, both Reece and Lauren have been targeted with online racist abuse.

They are united in their efforts to encourage social media companies to do more with their platforms in stopping racism.

“When we both get messages like that, we turn to each other and discuss it,” Reece said.

“I think everyone agrees and knows that what’s happening with social media and racism is wrong. Everyone says they want to change, but not many things are changing.”

• MUTUAL RESPECT

Although they share a competitive nature on the pitch, Reece and Lauren only have a mutual respect for each other’s achievements.

But Lauren knew she had to emulate her brother by following his footsteps into the England squad.

“We are not usually competitive,” she revealed.

“When he got his senior England call-up, it was like, “Right, he got his, I’ve got to get mine now. That’s probably the only time and I laugh about it now.”

Reece earned his first cap against Wales last October, while a month later Lauren received a senior national team call-up as part of a 29-player training camp at St George’s Park.

Despite their careers mirroring one another, Reece is adamant they can’t be compared.

Reece James has become a regular in the England squad since his first call-up last OctoberCredit: Marc Aspland – The Times

His sister Lauren James celebrated an England call-up last November Credit: Getty