Lauren James

Lauren James (born 29 September 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Chelsea and the England women's national team.

Lauren James
James with England in 2022
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-09-29) 29 September 2001
Place of birth London, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 10
Youth career
2010–2014 Chelsea[1]
2014–2017 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2018 Arsenal 5 (0)
2018–2021 Manchester United 40 (22)
2021– Chelsea 17 (5)
International career‡
2017–2018 England U17 6 (6)
2019 England U19 11 (1)
2022– England 8 (1)
Honours
Women's football
Representing  England
UEFA–CONMEBOL Finalissima
Winner2023 England
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 06:14, 23 March 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 00:39, 23 February 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Arsenal

James was scouted by Arsenal as a 13-year-old and trained with the boys' team, but within two years she began training with the first team.[2] On 29 October 2017, James made her debut for Arsenal, coming on in the 67th minute, replacing Lisa Evans in a 2–0 win over Everton in the 2017–18 season.[3] In doing so, she became the second-youngest player in Arsenal's history to make their debut.[2]

Manchester United
James playing for Manchester United against Brighton & Hove Albion in 2019.

On 13 July 2018, it was announced that James would be part of the first professional Manchester United squad due to compete in the newly restructured 2018–19 FA Women's Championship.[4] She made her competitive debut for Manchester United in a 1–0 League Cup victory against Liverpool, on 19 August.[5] She scored the opening two goals in United's first game of the 2018–19 Championship season, a 12–0 win away to Aston Villa.[6] James was voted FA Women's Championship player of the month for September following her three goals across Manchester United's unbeaten opening month.[7] On 20 April 2019, James scored four goals in a 7–0 league win against Crystal Palace.[8]

James scored United's first ever WSL goal, netting in the 71st minute in a 2–0 win against Liverpool on 28 September 2019.[9] Two weeks later, James was sent off in United's 3–0 league win away to Tottenham Hotspur after receiving two yellow cards.[10] James signed her first professional contract with the club on 16 December.[11] At the end of the 2019–20 season, James finished as United's top scorer and was named to the four player shortlist for PFA Women's Young Player of the Year.[12]

On 27 March 2021, James opened the scoring in a 2–0 league victory over West Ham United. The match was the first FA WSL match to be played at Old Trafford.[13]

Chelsea

On 23 July 2021, James signed a four-year contract with Chelsea.[1] She scored her first goal for the club in a 9-0 away win against Leicester City on 27 March 2022.

International career

Youth

In April 2017, James made her under-17 debut in a 2–0 friendly defeat to USA. On 14 October 2017, she captained England during a 10–0 win over Latvia as part of 2018 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship qualification, scoring four goals.

In January 2019, James received her first call-up to the under-19 squad for the Algarve Tournament.[14] In July 2019, James was named in the England squad for the 2019 UEFA Under-19 Championship in Scotland.[15]

Senior

In November 2020, James received her first senior national team call-up as part of a 29-player training camp at St George's Park.[16]

James made her senior debut on 3 September 2022, coming on as a 79th minute substitute during England's 2023 World Cup qualification match against Austria.[17] She scored her first international goal on 16 February 2023 during England's 4–0 victory against South Korea in the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup.[18]

Personal life

James is the younger sister of Chelsea and England defender Reece James.[19] She has cited her father Nigel, a UEFA licensed football coach, as inspiration: "[He] has helped me every step of the way. I grew up playing football with my brothers and wanted to play like them; I have always loved the game. I am grateful to my Dad for all the time, effort and love that he has put into my football by coaching me in order that I reach the very best level."[20] She is of Jamaican descent through her father.[21]

She attended Whitton School in Whitton, London.[22]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 22 March 2023[23]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal 2017–18 WSL 1 500031—81
Manchester United 2018–19 Championship 18143261—2717
2019–20 WSL 1261152—189
2020–21 WSL 1020010—112
Total 402243123—5628
Chelsea 2021–22 WSL 61302010121
2022-23 WSL 114203152217
Total 175505162338
Career total 622793205629737

    International
    As of match played 23 February 2023
    Appearances and goals by national team and year
    National teamYearAppsGoals
    England 202250
    202331
    Total81
    Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each James goal.
    List of international goals scored by Lauren James
    No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
    1 16 February 2023 Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, England  South Korea 4–0 4–0 2023 Arnold Clark Cup [18]

    Honours

    Manchester United

    Chelsea

    England

    Individual

    • London Football Awards Women’s Young Player of the Year: 2023

    References
    1. "Lauren James joins Chelsea Women". Chelsea FC.
    2. Kershaw, Tom (14 August 2019). "Manchester United Women's Lauren James: 'At first boys would ask why I'm training with them, but after a few weeks they realised'". The Independent. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
    3. "Everton Ladies 0–2 Arsenal Ladies". BBC Sport. 29 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
    4. "United Women's Squad – Player by Player". 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
    5. Drudge, Harriet (19 August 2018). "MATCH REPORT: LIVERPOOL WOMEN 0 UNITED WOMEN 1". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
    6. "MATCH REPORT: ASTON VILLA 0 UNITED WOMEN 12". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
    7. "Award for Man Utd hotshot". The Football Association. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
    8. Bath, Adam (20 April 2019). "Match report for Man United Women v Crystal Palace Ladies 20 April 2019". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
    9. Bostock, Adam (28 September 2019). "Manchester United Women 2 Liverpool 0". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
    10. Carney, Sam (13 October 2019). "Tottenham Hotspur Women 0 Manchester United Women 3". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
    11. "Lauren James signs professional contract at United Women". Manchester United F.C. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
    12. "Liverpool and Manchester City dominate PFA Player of the Year shortlist". Sky Sports. 4 September 2020.
    13. Sanders, Emma (27 March 2021). "Manchester United 2–0 West Ham: Teenager Lauren James scores in historic Old Trafford win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
    14. Association, The Football. "England Women's U19 squad named for Algarve Tournament". The Football Association. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
    15. "England squad named for UEFA Women's U19 Finals". The Football Association. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
    16. "England Women's boss has selected a 29-strong squad for the final meet-up of 2020". The Football Association. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
    17. Johnston, Neil (3 September 2022). "Austria 0-2 England: Alessia Russo and Nikita Parris send Lionesses to World Cup". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
    18. "England 4-0 South Korea: Lionesses ease to victory in Arnold Clark Cup opener". BBC Sport. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
    19. Rudd, Alyson (3 November 2018). "Brother and sister who are giving dad a very difficult decision to make". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
    20. "Testimonials". nigeljameselitecoaching.com. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
    21. Woozencroft, Hugh. "Our multicultural team are paving way for a brighter future". The Times.
    22. Weich, Ben (20 January 2017). "Teenage football prodigy wins call up to England youth team". Richmond & Twickenham Times. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
    23. "Lauren James player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
    24. "Man Utd Women 7–0 Crystal Palace Ladies: Women's Championship title sealed by win". BBC Sport. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
    25. Sanders, Emma (6 April 2023). "England beat Brazil on penalties to win Finalissima". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
    26. "Arnold Clark Cup: England hit six v Belgium to retain trophy". BBC Sport. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
    27. "Lauren James wins February WSL Goal of the Month award". Chelsea F.C. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
    28. "Manchester United recognised at North-West Football awards". Manchester United F.C.
    29. Ruszkai, Ameé (22 February 2023). "England's Lauren James named NXGN Player of the Tournament at the Arnold Clark Cup". Goal. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
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