The one-on-one shooting drills have wrapped up, and the coaches are gathering the footballs. Some of the parents watching might be eager to head back indoors to escape the chill, but none of these young players are ready to leave just yet. A long, enthusiastic line has formed. They all want their photo taken first with England forward Lauren James.
"Sometimes I forget how many people look up to me," says James, pleasantly surprised, after assisting with the grassroots session at Worcester Park in south-west London. It's easy for others to overlook that the Chelsea No 10, who has represented the Lionesses 24 times, only recently turned 23. James is friendly yet somewhat shy, appearing a bit nervous as she sits down in one of the ground’s wooden dugouts for an exclusive interview. It's clear she prefers performing in front of tens of thousands in a stadium over holding a microphone. This evening, another performance is expected as Chelsea face Tottenham at Kingsmeadow. However, on this Tuesday afternoon, a cheerful and happy James speaks openly.
Happy, first because she has a new puppy, a male cockapoo named Waffle – "a puppy is probably harder than a kid," jokes James, who grew up with dogs. And because she just helped Chelsea secure their first win at the Emirates Stadium in the Women’s Super League, continuing their perfect start under new manager Sonia Bompastor. "Sometimes change can go one of two ways but it’s been good so far; I’m happy and Chelsea are happy," James says of the impact the Frenchwoman has made since replacing long-serving Emma Hayes. James notes that the squad adapted quickly to the new coaching team. "She’s very focused, passionate, and direct. Sonia is just bringing in her qualities and adding them to our own. Hopefully, with that combination, we can achieve great things. Hopefully, we can aim to win the Champions League."
The next step to lifting a first European title is a goal that everyone at Chelsea has openly discussed this season, and it would be a dream come true for James, who has enjoyed considerable success since her 2021 move from Manchester United. She won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2023 and was named Chelsea’s Player of the Year last season after retaining the Women’s Super League title. Behind the scenes, it hasn’t always been easy. James has faced sickening racist abuse online multiple times. She is determined to rise above it and use those experiences to fuel her on the pitch. "I just try to let my feet talk and hopefully let my success do the talking," James says. "Having the right support network around you helps you stay on track and block out the noise. Family and friends keep you grounded and keep your head sane."
James is speaking after a McDonald’s Fun Football session, having become an ambassador for the program that provides free coaching to children aged five to 11. In 2024, the program adjusted its center locations to ensure that 80% of the UK’s lowest-income urban areas have access to the sessions. James wanted to get involved to be a "role model to kids who face barriers." She says, "It’s nice to see kids smiling and having access. It’s inclusive, and no matter your background, you can play football, bringing you a step closer to reaching your dreams."
That desire to help youngsters from underprivileged backgrounds also motivated James to launch her LJ10 scholarship scheme in September, which supports aspiring players from diverse backgrounds. "For kids with potential who aren’t being seen or have barriers, perhaps not being able to afford kit or get to training, I’ve been pleased to support them," she says. James acknowledges that football still has work to do regarding diversity but believes, "It’s moving in the right direction. There’s still room for improvement, but I do think it’s on the right track."
The more success she has, the more she hopes to inspire, especially with the Lionesses, pointing to significant increases in girls playing football after England’s triumph at the 2022 European Championship. James was yet to make her international debut when that tournament took place, injuries in the 2021-22 season meaning it came too soon for her. That fuels her determination to be a key player at next summer’s Euros in Switzerland. James watched the 2022 final at Wembley against Germany from the stands as a fan, five weeks before her Lionesses debut, and says, "It was hard but at the same time I was happy they achieved that, because it changed football. Hopefully, I can be part of the next one."
England faces Germany at Wembley again on Friday in a friendly as they step up their preparations to defend their title, and James says the squad is driven by the pain of losing the 2023 World Cup final against Spain. "To get so close to winning a World Cup and then not being able to achieve it, there’s a lot of emotion in the moment. But that’s football, and you need to move on to the next opportunity. It’s not that it doesn’t hurt – of course it does – but all you can control is the next game, the next performance, and the next opportunity to win another trophy."
"I know what that winning feeling feels like, and I want to experience it with England. The Euros is a massive opportunity for the team to repeat what they did in 2022, and we’re all highly motivated to make more history."
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
