Last week, Sarina Wiegman was crowned The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for a record-extending fourth time. Emma Hayes, herself a former winner, finished second in the running.
Lauren James, who plays under both of these elite managers, is receiving quite the football education therefore – and never takes it for granted. The young England star is also perfectly placed to assess and compare her England and Chelsea coaches, and did so in an exclusive interview with FIFA.
“They’re both demanding and they’ve obviously both won a lot of things. But they’re quite different [as personalities] and I think they have different qualities,” she explained. “They’re great coaches – great with the team, great with myself – and I think what they’ve achieved has shown just how good they are.
“I think the fact they’re two quite different personalities also means they can bring out different things in me. They each have their own ways of getting the best out of you as a player.”
For all their differences in character and approach, a high esteem for James is one thing Hayes and Wiegman undoubtedly have in common.
Only this week, the Chelsea boss labelled her young maverick “a genius footballer” after she hit a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Manchester United. Wiegman, for her part, has enthused about a player who “flies over the field” and produces “special things” for both club and country.
James’ fellow players are evidently signed-up members of the fan-club too, because the 22-year-old was voted into the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 – as its youngest member.
“That’s a great feeling,” said the forward as she was honoured in her hometown of London. “I feel humbled and privileged that I’ve been recognised by my opponents like this.”
Although she was a standout for Chelsea throughout last year, it was at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ that James propelled herself to prominence before a wider, global audience.
It wasn’t all fairy tales and wonder goals, of course. The young forward, described as “the sweetest person I know” by Wiegman, received a two-match ban after being sent off for an uncharacteristic stamp on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie.
That suspension ruled her out for England’s quarter-final and semi-final successes, and ultimately cost James her place in the starting XI for the final itself. But having apologised, to the England fans and players and to Alozie herself, the Chelsea star has been able to put the incident behind her and accentuate the tournament’s positives.
“It had always been a dream for to go to a World Cup, so be there and make my debut was special,” she reflected. “I think the overall highlight was my first goal in the World Cup against Denmark and, yeah, reaching the final too of course.
“Each atmosphere, every game – even the atmosphere away from games – I thought it was all amazing. I really enjoyed it.”
Has it whetted her appetite, therefore, and left her looking forward eagerly – even at this early stage – to 2027? “Yeah, for sure. I want to be at that World Cup – and hopefully next time we can come away with the trophy!”
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