Back from an injury just in time for Euro 2025, Lauren James has already shown in the first three group matches in England. The young Chelsea Forward is expected to be a different star artists of the Lionesses against Sweden in the quarterfinals.
After a start-up start to France in the first group match of the holders, Lauren James followed a brace against the Netherlands and a master class against Wales in a 6-1 victory to spend England to the quarterfinals.
The Chelsea Forward, however, had just returned from a dijing injury, which she provided since the beginning of April.
“She trained with us in Chelsea in June,” says Camille Abily, assistant coach of Sonia Bompastor at the London Club.
“She didn't have much vacation and her preparation started rather than the others to try to be as fit as possible.”
The Chelsea staff “did not necessarily expect that she would start and played 60 minutes” against Les Bleues, but they did notices that “she could have scored very quickly” with two early chances.
In England, Sarina Wiegman's decision was to start her as soon as she recovered from an injury criticized. But Abily sees it as a sign of confidence on the part of the staff of England, for a player who needs it.
“She is a very talented player, but she has a lot of self -doubt. That may not be visible when she is on the field, but she just has to have that relationship of trust with her coach,” explains Sonia Bompastor in her interview with FlashScore at the end of February.
James' influence on competitions
It was a confidence that she recovered to Sarina Wiegman four days later, after she had switched from midfield to the right wing after the routing of the French national team.
There she rediscovered all her ability to play one on one, to continue and serve her teammates at the right pace.
“Her release makes her game very liquid,” the English coach noticed at the last Whistle.
Lucy Bronze, who is also her teammate at Chelsea, is a fan: “We know that you should only give the ball to 'LJ' in dangerous positions, and a goal can come from anywhere. She is probably the best (…) when it comes to creating something special.”
That was the case in the decisive second group match of England against the Netherlands, when the judge opened the score with a great left shot from the edge of the area, before the trick repeated with a different left effort after the Dutch defense had complied with the ball.
“We see her always doing that in training,” said England -striker Alessia Russo at the press conference, which is looking for “Lauren James find as much as possible in those areas”.
“She is one of those players who can change a match on his own. She has the opportunity to eliminate, to score, even in the middle of three opponents. She is very competent for the goal, she likes to photograph, or it is with the right -oriented or left -wing feet, she is able to shoot for long distance from the distance.”
“We have seen a very good Lauren James, but to be one of the best players in the world, you also have to increase your range.”
Strive for greater consistency
“Lauren is good at defending, because she is physically very impressive with her first touch. So she is difficult to pass if she really worries,” says her coach, repeated by Wiegman, who believes that she “works very hard when she has to.”
Abily is certain: “With a little more consistency, she could become one of the best players in the world.
“I am close to many great players, but in terms of Puur Talent, Lauren is in the top three. She is able to do exceptional things,” she adds.
After a season characterized by injuries – she only played nine league games this season – the English number seven has another chance to show her value against Sweden in the quarterfinals of Euro 2025.