Chelsea’s Lauren James set for Champions League semi-final against Barcelona

“She inspires me every day and will continue to do so,” says Reece James of his sister Lauren. The younger James grew up kicking the ball around with her older brother. The siblings both play for Chelsea and Lauren, 21, is looking forward to facing Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on Saturday.

A Blues fan from a young age, Lauren came through the ranks at Arsenal and had a spell at Manchester United before joining the club of her life in the summer of 2021. The pair made history as the first pair of brothers and sisters to play for England’s senior national team.

And it is the sheer talent they both possess that has made their careers to stardom meteoric. Lauren grew up playing football alongside her brothers, always encouraged by her father, a UEFA-licensed coach: “I am grateful to my father for all the time, effort and love he has put into my football by coaching me to the highest level.

Arsenal days

She started her journey at Arsenal, a club she joined at the age of 13. Two years later, she moved on to the women’s first team, and, at 16, James made her debut for Arsenal in the English Super League in the 2017-18 season. At the age of 17, she switched cities to join Manchester United.

“She inspires me every day and will continue to do so. I think she’s the best footballer in the world, and she will be for the next 10 or 15 years, no doubt. Technically she is better than some Premier League players,” says her brother and Chelsea right-back Reece, who saw her sign for his club in the summer of 2021.

World Cup dreams

Almost two seasons later, James has settled into life with the London team and is shining under the guidance of head coach Emma Hayes. She has already won a cup, a league cup, a league title and the Finalissima with England. And although she was not at the European Championship, she is in the process of convincing England head coach Sarina Wiegman to select her to go to the World Cup this summer.

Her seven goals and five assists in 24 appearances for Chelsea this season may earn her a place in the England squad. Barcelona will be next in line to come up against the talented James, who inspires her older brother, a target of Barcelona rivals Real Madrid.