MY ACCOUNT
Lauren James was the star of the show as England ran riot against South Korea on Thursday night.
The Lionesses claimed a 4-0 victory in the Arnold Clark Cup, with the forward winning a penalty for the opening goal before rounding off the scoring.
Fast becoming a regular in Sarina Wiegman’s squad, the 21-year-old is following in the footsteps of her older brother Reece, establishing herself at both Chelsea and with the national team.
Ahead of England’s match against Italy on Sunday, we take a look at James’ career so far and what the future might hold for this fresh young talent.
Cheat code
Winning her sixth cap for her country, James caused havoc at Stadium MK with her close control and dribbling ability.
With Korea holding firm against an onslaught of England attacks, the deadlock was finally broken when the winger was brought down in the box and Georgia Stanway converted the penalty.
James had come close to scoring herself in the first half and opened her international account when the ball broke to her on the edge of the area and she produced a fine finish.
England captain Leah Williamson was effusive in her praise for her new team-mate after the game.
Williamson said: “I think she’s a cheat code. I enjoy being on the same team as her. The girl is incredible, so let’s give her as much support as we can.”
Superstar breakthrough
Barcelona and England defender Lucy Bronze was also hugely impressed by the contribution of James.
She said: “Everyone knows the quality that LJ’s got. Technically she’s probably one of the best there is.
“It’s crazy that she’s so young because this is the player that everyone has been talking about for five years now. Everyone has been waiting for this superstar and it’s exciting to be here now.”
James started her career at Arsenal but despite making her debut for the club on her 16th birthday, would only play five times for the Gunners. She signed for the newly founded Manchester United women’s team in 2018.
After three years at United in which she helped the team win promotion to the Women’s Super League, a move to Chelsea came in 2021. This season has seen her score seven goals in 17 games for the Blues, prompting international recognition.
Family business
Now playing at the same club as her brother Reece, football was always a family affair for James.
Her father runs the Nigel James Elite Coaching academy, where he is assisted by another older brother Joshua, who had professional spells with Fulham and Reading.
James spent her childhood playing with her big brothers and participating in coaching drills with her dad. The local team he ran contained a young Conor Gallagher and his daughter played alongside the boys.
After signing for Arsenal at 13, she started training with the boy’s team for her age group. By the age of 15 she was training with the women’s first team.
James has spoken about her development as a youth: “It wasn’t for quite a few years that I even began training properly with girls. It was harder playing against boys.
“At first, they would look at you like, ‘Why is there a girl training with us?’ But after a couple of weeks, they realised what I could do.
“I’ve always been confident playing with people older than me. When you’ve been doing it all your life you don’t really think about being young. Maybe that’s just the person I am.”
Wiegman praise
After the South Korea victory, England boss Wiegman revealed that she had been waiting for the right moment to blood James into her European Championship-winning team.
She said: “She has been a talent for a long time, she just needed to be available and needed some time at Chelsea.
“She worked really hard at Chelsea. That’s what you have seen this season, then she can take the next step to the national team.
“Now, when she starts playing at this level with Chelsea, and in the Champions League, and on this international level, and gets those minutes, she can improve.”
After such a fine performance on the right of England’s attack, James must surely remain in the team that will face Italy over the weekend.
No footballer could have hoped for a better education in the game and it seems like the Lionesses could reap the benefits for years to come.
