Lauren James lit up Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Arsenal with a goal that left fans and pundits in awe, despite Chelsea's 3-1 loss at the Emirates.
Since the 24-year-old missed England’s final camp of 2025 due to injury, James has featured in every match for club and country since and has seen an impressive start to 2026.
After England beat Iceland 2-0, former Lioness Karen Carney said it was a matter of when, not if James wins the Ballon d'Or, a sentiment echoed by other pundits and teammates.
'Special player' - Lucy Bronze
In Tuesday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League match, James scored a stunning goal with her weaker foot, beating goalkeeper Anneke Borbe.
Her teammate for club and country Lucy Bronze was full of praise for James post-match.
"I don't think anyone on the pitch could score a goal like that, and was with her weaker foot," Bronze said. "It was incredible.
"We know the talent that LJ has. She nearly scored a similar one 10 minutes later as well, she's a great talent.
"We're going to need her to be in top form again next week to turn this fixture around."
😲 Stop that, Lauren James 🥶👏#UWCL pic.twitter.com/UzZDIeVcwlMarch 24, 2026
James’ Euro 2025 campaign was hampered by injuries, and she made a slow start to the season following that due to her recovery.
But after working her way back to full fitness, the Chelsea forward returned to the Lionesses squad in the most recent camp earlier this month.
In England’s World Cup qualifier against Iceland, she assisted Bronze to open the scoring - a first-half performance that led Karen Carney to put forward this Ballon d’Or shout.
"LJ is a pretty special player," Bronze added. "Coming back into the England team in her first start since the Euro final.
"It's so nice to have her back in an England shirt. I have the pleasure of seeing her every day at Chelsea and knowing the ability that she has, and she could unlock any team on any day if she wanted to."
'The sky's the limit for LJ' - Lauren Hemp
England attacker Lauren Hemp also waxed lyrical about her namesake's ability and contribution.
"She's massive," the Manchester City player said. "She crates something out of nothing and she’s crucial to have around the group.
"She creates so many chances for us - you know whenever she gets the ball its probably going to end up in a chance on goal.
"She has so much potential, the sky's the limit for that girl."
'Lauren James has it all' - Alex Scott
Chelsea have won a first piece of silverware this season, beating Manchester United 2-0 in the League Cup final - unsurprisingly, James played a crucial part in that game, scoring the first goal and winning Player of the Match for her efforts.
Former Lioness Alex Scott also emphasised her importance and gave her take on whether James could win the Ballon d'Or.
"Lauren James always seems to step up in those big moments," Scott said.
“If you think about the League Cup final, the difference was Lauren James. When you look at the two teams, there wasn’t much in it, but it was her.
“I think Lauren James has it all. You can have all the talent in the world and it is there on show for us all to see. But LJ needs to do it continuously in a World Cup, in a Euros and for Chelsea.
“She steps up in moments, but when you look at players that have won the Ballon d’Or before, it's not just moments. It's having that consistency and always being that player every single game. And I think as soon as she hits that mark, no doubt she will be the best player in the world.
“And no more injuries! LJ, we just want to wrap you up so you can stay fit so you can pick up those trophies.”
