Chelsea secure three points in Kingsmeadow opener: lessons learned

Lauren James’ ceiling is through the roof after another stellar outing

After just two contests under her belt in the starting IX for Hayes’ side, James has found herself a spot on the right wing. Just like her brother on the men’s side, James makes it look almost effortless with the ball at her feet. From dazzling footwork to her decision-making in the final third, there was not a single thing James could not do running at the backline of Manchester City. While Kerr continues to look for a way to get back on track following a controversial opening match, James has been the catalyst in the attack.

She arguably deserves a goal by now due to all of the work she has done to create quality opportunities. Her strike with her left foot in the 71’ nearly found the top right corner, but the football gods made James wait even longer for that well-deserved goal. In the public’s eye, this season was a statement one for the English international, who had been on the pitch sporadically in her first season in west London, after coming over from Manchester United for a record transfer fee.

With an inferior opponent on tap compared to the one that the Blues faced in their home opener, Hayes could look to rotate a few of her players in the starting IX. James should not even be in consideration due to the amount of momentum she is riding from a sensational preseason to her world-class beginning to the 2022/23 campaign. It is only a matter of time until James finds the scoresheet, but until then, Blues fans get to marvel at how swift and fluid James’ footwork is.