‘Ballon d’Or’ James makes England return before Euros

Take note, Europe: Lauren James is back.

After three months, James, 23, only needed eight minutes to make a decisive save as England defeated Jamaica 7-0.

The Chelsea attacker, who hasn’t played since April due to a hamstring injury, made her way onto the field, where everyone in the King Power Stadium erupted to cheers.

And what a better time for her return could have been. England’s opening Group D game at Euro 2025 will take place in the hands of France, but Sarina Wiegman’s “special player” is fit and ready to go.

The 23-year-old appears ready to play a crucial role in England’s quest for glory after impressing with three goals and three assists at the World Cup two years ago.

James was a difficult winger in 2021 who was waiting to be discovered, but now she is making money by comparing her to Kelly Smith, one of the greatest players in all time.

Karen Carney, a former Lioness, continued to praise James on ITV, saying, “She can do things that I haven’t seen any player since Kelly Smith.” She’s Ballon d’Or”.

Before Saturday’s game against France, James’ performance as Wiegman will be a source of great anxiety.

Ella Toone, a player for Manchester United, started the match in that role and scored two goals, but James lit up the King Power Stadium with her ability to glide past opponents with her passing and pick out passes that weren’t noticed.

It’s difficult not to get excited about James, ex-England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley said on BBC Radio 5 Live. I believe she needs to be properly managed, and it’s really exciting to give her a sneak peak at what she can offer this Lionesses attack and midfield. It is mouthwatering food.

She plays midfield like a little magician, in my opinion. Her unpredictability, shooting ability, and natural movement. In the middle of the field, she appears to be running her own business.

James’ return to the pitch was a huge boost for England, but is she prepared for 90 minutes against France? With only 30 minutes of playing time after three months, it’s unlikely to be the case.

Wiegman, a two-time Euros champion, knows how to be patient with James: “Once we’re building her, we’re going to. She has put in a lot of effort to get where she is right now, both at Chelsea and in our last two weeks.

She completed every training session very well. We hope to continue developing her as we move into the France game because this was the first time she could get minutes.

With only 32 of her 894 starts in this term’s three months playing, James lacks match intelligence, and on Saturday, she could play off the bench against France.

Toone, 25, has nearly 1, 000 more games this year than James, and he has always done so in England, especially at the Euros.

With the versatility of the Chelsea forward, Wiegman can use her on either wing or as a false nine, making it less straightforward than a James and Toone battle for the starting XI spot.

We also understand that midfield and up front are up against each other in a lot of competition. We’ll figure it out, Wiegman added.

As the Lionesses prepare to depart for Switzerland, England fans expressed their joy at James’ return.

You have to pray Lauren James is fit for all the games, the best in the world, because she’s on a completely different level five minutes in and has sent in three world-class balls.

Lauren James, that’s what I call it.