‘People assume you’re not trying’ – James on England criticism

Fans were “too quick to judge” England’s forward’s performance at Euro 2025, according to Lauren James.

The 23-year-old claimed that her ability to enjoy the Lionesses’ historic victory in Switzerland was impacted by her injury problems and criticism during the tournament in an interview with BBC Sport.

After saving her own spot-kick, James was relieved to see other England players miss penalties in the quarter-final match against Sweden because she feared receiving racist abuse.

Fans frequently only know what is happening in front of them, she said.

They are unaware of what someone is going through or what is happening in their lives. Fans, be aware, you can’t tell what someone is doing out there, I always say. You could just add more to it.

No player enters a game or season believing they won’t try. They don’t visit as frequently as they used to, because it was a Euros. I’m going to try to play even though you might have one leg hanging off.

England manager Sarina Wiegman regarded James as a significant player during their six-game European campaign in Switzerland, where he started every game as the Lionesses won the title.

However, she struggled to produce her best form in the final stages of the competition, and her injury forced her to miss half-time in both the semi-final against Italy and the opening half of the final victory over Spain.

It is believed that James had an injury that prevented her from starting Chelsea’s 2025-26 campaign.

James, who was speaking to BBC Sport at the club’s Cobham training facility, claimed she had tried to play through the discomfort to help the team.

She revealed that she was obviously battling to be fit for the Euros before suffering yet another injury in the quarter-finals and trying to play.

At the end of the day, I’m in a ridiculous amount of pain that caused me to come off at half-time in the semi-finals and before half-time in the final. “People then assume you’re not trying, but at the end of the day, I’m in a ridiculous amount of pain.

As Chelsea won a domestic treble last year, James also had a ton of injuries that limited her to just 17 appearances and four goals.

James said she was aware of how bad her injury was prior to the Sweden game, but she still wanted to play to support her team.

She continued, “I know when something is wrong.” However, we [against Sweden] had no more subs left, so I was forced to play. I tried to play against [Italie], but it’s a semi-final of the Euros because I didn’t think it was a major injury. I tried again because we’re in the final, and I can’t stop myself.

“And we obviously won, but I didn’t feel great,” he said. I had trouble dribbling and running because I didn’t play the way I wanted to.

When questioned about how much she enjoyed the success of back-to-back titles, she responded, “for sure,” when asked if the injury issues and criticism had an impact.

Although it was an incredible accomplishment, she continued, “I wasn’t able to help the team in the final two games.” “Sometimes people are too quick to judge,” said one fan and the general public, “to also receive negative comments.”

What comments are there?

But she admitted to being afraid of receiving racist abuse and missed her team’s second spot kick in the penalty shootout quarter-final victory over Sweden.

Before England eventually advanced 3-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw, team-mates Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood, and Grace Clinton each failed to score.

Jess Carter, James’ England team-mate, made it known that she was subjected to racism both after and after the game. After that, Carter claimed that if her missed penalty had determined the outcome for Sweden, she feared James would face “astronomical abuse.”

Rashford, Sancho, and Bukayo Saka all suffered racist abuse on social media when England’s men lost to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final.

When James questioned whether that was something she was thinking in Zurich, she responded, “For sure. I was contemplating this as I thought, “If I miss, I hope I’m not the only one because I am aware of what has occurred and continues to happen.”

It was the biggest relief other players have ever lacked, despite how depressing it may sound. Who would have imagined that? To get through, you always want your team-mates to score.

“We fortunately missed and passed, but it wasn’t a nice moment because the fans should feel the support.” What color should you be, really?

However, James claimed that treatment would never cause her to reconsider whether or not to represent her country.

I’ve always dreamed of playing for my country, she continued, noting that my mother and I are both from that country.

“Thank God I was a part of the last one, we do great things with England,” he said. I want to join each and every one moving forward.

Chelsea take on Manchester City on Friday in their opening WSL game, where they won the league, FA Cup, and League Cup.

The desire for a first Champions League title has been heightened by Arsenal’s victory over the Spaniards in the final of last year after losing to Barcelona in the semi-finals.