England’s manager Sarina Wiegman said Lauren James did “special things” in the match against China and fans would agree.
The 21-year-old scored two and set up three others as England romped to a 6-0 victory and will now face Nigeria in the round-of-16.
“It’s what dreams are made of,” said James afterwards, although she had actually been denied a hattrick by a video referee call.
“I’m happy for the team; everyone is buzzing. I felt free. Whether I’m on the wing or in the middle, I’m happy to be playing and contributing to goals.”
James had also impressed in the Lionesses’ second group match against Denmark, where she scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory that took England to the group’s summit.
The young winger is one of the most exciting talents in world football and her career is only just getting started. Here is what makes her such a star.
She brings the determination of a younger sibling
James is the youngest of three, but please don’t call her the “sister of Reece James” — even though her brother has also become a key player for Chelsea and England in his own right.
She told the Evening Standard: “Even just: ‘That’s Lauren James, that’s Reece’s sister’, but I want to carve that out and be known as ‘this is Lauren James’.
“Whereas, at the moment, men’s football is a lot bigger profile, it’s natural to just go, and I’m sure there are times when I’ve said, ‘Oh, that’s so and so’s sister’, but I think it’s just natural.”
James was born in London in September 2001 and studied at Whitton School. Like her brother, she was in the youth academy at Chelsea.
Made in Manchester
After being released from Chelsea and Arsenal at a youth level, James left for Manchester United when she was 16. But, while the Red Devils were in a lower division at the time, the move north allowed James to grow as a person and as a footballer.
“Living alone, it allowed me to grow up as a person and… having to cook for myself! I can’t cook,” she says.
“It was weird at first, I was young, I was 16. It allowed me to… well, without making that move, I think I probably wouldn’t be where I am now.
“Sometimes I think, you know, people would say it was a step back because I went to the Championship. But for me, sometimes it allows you to go a step forward.”
James has been described as Chelsea’s ‘cheat code’
James came home to Chelsea in 2021 after some impressive performances for Manchester United but was plagued by injury and was left out of England’s victorious Euro 2022 campaign.
“Watching it, going to the final last summer, it obviously made me feel more like, ‘I want to make sure I’m there this summer’, and it gave me a bit more motivation and hunger,” says James. “I’d like to feel the same as what they felt last summer.”
She has now settled in for club and country and the 2022-23 campaign has been a breakout one for James, who scored five goals as Chelsea won a league and cup double.
She has thrived under Chelsea boss Emma Hayes and also Wiegman, who have let her roam with freedom.
When England won the Arnold Clark Cup in February, England captain Leah Williamson said: “I think she’s a cheat code, [Wiegman] is trying to bring out the best in us and make sure that we bring the best of ourselves in the game — and somebody like Lauren is a perfect example of that. The girl is incredible, so we give her as much support as we can.”
James has now penned a contract extension with Chelsea, tying her to the Blues until 2027.
She is a fan of urban music
Outside of football, James takes pride in what she wears and listens to — and that can be anything from hip-hop to country, she told Chelsea video series The Pride.
She lists rappers J Cole, Drake, Lil Durk, and Lil Baby as being among her favourite artists, as well as Jorja Smith.
“I’ve always liked London, you can turn a corner and it’s just different,” she said. “I’m close to family and I also think the London fashion scene is out there.
“I think everyone is different and I like it because I am someone who likes being different anyway.”
