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Lauren James has been a standout competitor for England since her debut in 2022, scoring nine goals in 33 caps for the Lionesses – and today, she could become a European champion
Lauren James is potentially 90 minutes away from international glory with England in just her second major tournament for the Lionesses. The Chelsea forward has been instrumental in the team’s success in recent times, scoring and setting up important goals.
While James was subbed off at half-time against Italy in the week due to an ankle issue, fans will be hoping she is able to make an appearance versus Spain on Sunday evening. So far in the Women’s Euros, the 23-year-old has scored two goals in five appearances, including a stunning strike versus the Netherlands in the group stages.
The young attacker has multiple honours to her name already, including four WSL league titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and a Finalissima medal thanks to a penalty shootout win for the Lionesses over Brazil. James will be hoping to add a European Championship to this long list of silverware, as the Lionesses aim to become the first England team in history to successfully defend their trophy.
The Chelsea star is a player for the big occasion, which has been backed by former managers, fellow team-mates and her Premier League star brother Reece James. Mirror Football has rounded up some of James’ biggest headlines over the years, including her eye-watering salary, relationship with her Champions League-winning sibling, and some seriously high praise from an ex-manager.
How much is Lauren James paid?
James may be one of the standout stars in the England squad, but she is not the richest player in the team right now. That accolade goes to skipper and Arsenal star Leah Williamson, who, according to Hello! Magazine, has the biggest net worth with an estimated £4million in the bank.
James does have a higher annual salary than the 28-year-old, however, earning an impressing £350,000 per year with the current WSL champions. Williamson earns £150,000 per annum, but she supplements this with her numerous brand deals that include Gucci, Pepsi and Nike.
The Chelsea star, who is believed to be worth £1.8m, has her own endorsement deals to boost her income too, with brands such as Beats by Dre, Sure and Nike sponsoring her.
Should the Euros final go as England plan on Sunday, James’ and Williamson’s value will only continue to skyrocket. If they win the trophy, they will also get a boost from a performance-related bonus, with a collective £1.75m going to the Lionesses.
Who is Lauren James’ brother?
James has an interesting rise to fame considering her brother Reece is one of the Premier League’s most recognisable faces. The Chelsea men’s star has his own collection of trophies, including the Champions League, Club World Cup and Conference League, but is yet to win anything with the senior international team.
Lauren has her brother beat on that one, with a Finalissima trophy and potential European Championship on the way, but she holds one special record with her sibling. Reece and Lauren became the first brother and sister to be capped at senior level for England.
This was following the Blues captain’s debut in 2020 and his sister’s subsequent cap coming in 2022 after an initial training camp call-up two years prior. Speaking at the time the duo made history, Lauren said: «From the outside, it is a bit like ‘wow’, but from our point of view, it is difficult to take it in. We are just both on our own paths and looking to enjoy our football.
«Both of us are supportive of each other, where I will go to his games and he will go to my games when he can. We kind of leave each other to it though. Anything to do with football, we both know what we need to do so we just leave the other one to it.
«But outside of football, we have a great relationship and we are really close. I think with our age gap that helps, with it only being two years… he is a funny guy.»
The 25-year-old was also full of praise for his younger sister, telling England Football’s official website: «Me and Lauren played in a number of tournaments together where we would be in the same team. We won a lot of tournaments together and it was great playing with her.
«We played together for Epsom Eagles and we would sometimes just play for a team so we could be part of the tournament, like we played for Kingstonian one time and there were other teams.»
However, Lauren is adamant she will carve her own name in women’s footballing history, and didn’t want to just be known as ‘Reece James’ sister’ for her career. Due to them both playing for Chelsea and England, the 23-year-old was conscious of the links between them and made a pledge to be her own person.
Speaking to the BBC before the Women’s World Cup in 2023, James said: «Even just, ‘That’s Lauren James, that’s Reece’s sister.’ But I want to carve out [my own name] and be known as, ‘This is Lauren James.’
«At the moment, men’s football has a lot bigger profile and I’m sure there are times when I’ve said, ‘Oh, that’s so and so’s sister,’ I think it’s just natural. But it doesn’t bother me too much because I know I have my own career.»
What did Emma Hayessay aboutLauren James?
James is certainly a high-pedigree player, and has been hailed as one of the most impressive English products of the modern era. Her trophy cabinet speaks for itself, but there are a whole host of former team-mates, current friends and ex-managers who are in awe of the young forward’s talent.
One such person is former manager and current American national team coach Emma Hayes. The iconic boss, who won seven WSL titles, five FA Cups and WSL Manager of the Season on six occasions, has previously claimed there is something special about the young star.
Speaking to Sky Sports in March 2025, Hayes said: «I’ve never seen a player like Lauren do the things she does individually. She’s so explosive. She’s got a left and a right foot. Often players have got strong sides, but I think she can do it on both feet.
«I was impressed with her whole performance… I thought she carried out the game plan and her role in that to perfection.» When asked about James by BBC Sport, the ex-Blues boss said: «Human beings are not simple.
«There are a lot of complexities involved with Lauren, but she is a genius footballer. I am happy for her. She wanted to demonstrate to the home fans that she could step forward, that she can do it as a 10, and a nine in the second half. Her hold-up play is unbelievable.»
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