Chelsea's Ji So-Yun a future World Player of the Year, says coach

Asian Football Award nominee Ji So-Yun is the best South East Asian player to have graced English football, according to Chelsea Ladies assistant Paul Green.

Ji is shortlisted alongside Southampton's Maya Yoshida and Ki Sung-Yeung of Swansea for the South East Asian Player accolade at the Asian Football Awards at Wembley Stadium on November 19.

The South Korea international has fond memories of her last visit to Wembley, after scoring the winner in the first Women's FA Cup final, clinching the first piece of silverware in Chelsea's history.

"Ji is an unbelievable player and for me she's made the biggest impression of any South East Asian player to play in English football," Green told Sky Sports.

"She deserves every recognition because she is one of the best players in the world. Like our manager Emma Hayes has said in the past, I'm sure one day she'll go on to become World Footballer of the Year because she is that good.

"Her technical ability is second to none and some of her performances this season - the goal she scored in the FA Cup final and the goal away at Liverpool which is in the running for goal of the season - there are not that many players who can do that.

"In her first season, she won the PFA and FA WSL Player of the Year awards, and this season she has been part of a double-winning team. So if anyone's made a greater impression, I'd like to hear about it but I'm not sure there is one."

Chelsea and England left-back Claire Rafferty believes Ji being shortlisted alongside two male Premier League footballers is a landmark moment for the women's game.

"I mean what an achievement for women's football," Rafferty said. "Competing against two men is pretty much unheard of. We never really get put into the same category as the men, so that in itself is unbelievable. Hopefully she can nick it but I think the fact that she's in there is a win in itself."

Ji regularly plays alongside Eni Aluko for Chelsea and the England forward credits the 'Korean Messi' for helping take her game to another level.

"I have absolutely loved playing with her," Aluko said. "She has brought the best out of me to be honest and I think players like Ji do that. Because her own level is so high, she raises the level of those around her.

"She's such a lovely girl off the pitch as well, with a great character and such an infectious personality.

"She loves Chelsea and we are really privileged to have her in the team. She has taken to women's football in England like a fish to water. I am excited at the prospect of enjoying a lot more playing time with Ji."