Title: Lauren James Aims to Carve Her Own Path to Football Stardom at the Women’s World Cup
Introduction
Lauren James, the talented sister of Three Lions ace Reece James, is determined to etch her name into football history. The 21-year-old forward aims to achieve this by helping the Lionesses win the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. With her debut on the horizon, James is eager to make a name for herself and step out of her brother’s shadow.
Carving Her Own Path
Lauren James, who recently arrived with the Lionesses at their base in Australia’s Sunshine Coast, is set to make her Women’s World Cup debut. Last September, she earned her first senior cap as a substitute in the Lionesses’ 2-0 World Cup qualifier defeat of Austria, joining her brother as a full England international. The James siblings hold a unique distinction as the only brother-sister duo to play for the same top-flight English club simultaneously in men’s and women’s football.
James acknowledges that men’s football currently enjoys a higher profile, often leading to her being referred to as “so and so’s sister.” However, she remains unfazed by this and is determined to establish her own career in the sport.
World Cup Debut
In Group D of the Women’s World Cup, James and her England teammates are scheduled to face Haiti, Denmark, and China. Their opening match against Haiti, the tournament’s fourth lowest-ranked side, will take place on July 22. James is excited about the opportunity and is focused on enjoying the experience while aiming to score goals.
Support from Reece James
Lauren James shares a close bond with her older brother Reece, who plays for the men’s national team. Reece has been supportive of Lauren’s journey and advised her to enjoy the tournament and have fun while striving to score goals. Should Lauren emerge victorious, she believes her brother would be proud, and their relationship would remain that of best friends.
Career Growth and Influential Figures
Over the past year, Lauren James has seen her career flourish both at the club and international level. She attributes her success to the guidance of two accomplished coaches. Sarina Wiegman, the Lionesses’ manager, has allowed James to express herself on the pitch, enabling her to play freely. Emma Hayes, her coach at Chelsea, played a crucial role in helping James overcome injury setbacks and find her feet at the club.
James expresses gratitude towards Emma Hayes for managing her well and allowing her to regain her confidence after two years of constant injuries. Despite initially facing questions about her absence from the pitch, James believes that her recovery has paid off, as she has been able to contribute consistently this season.
Ambitions for Success
Lauren James played a pivotal role in helping Chelsea secure their third successive league and FA Cup double this past season. Building on this triumph, she now sets her sights on winning football’s most prestigious prize at the Women’s World Cup. Her motivation and hunger were fueled by witnessing the Euros final last summer, and she aims to experience the same joy and fulfillment as her male counterparts did.
Conclusion
Lauren James is determined to make a name for herself in football and leave a lasting legacy beyond being known as Reece James’ sister. As she prepares for her Women’s World Cup debut, James is focused on enjoying the tournament, scoring goals, and helping the Lionesses achieve success. With the support of influential figures like Sarina Wiegman and Emma Hayes, James is well-positioned to make a significant impact on the world stage and carve her own path to football stardom.