England kick off their World Cup campaign against Haiti in Brisbane on Saturday and Three Lions boss Sarina Wiegman is set to make Chelsea star Lauren James a key player in her team
Lauren James is shaping up to be Sarina Wiegman’s ace-in-the-pack.
With Saturday’s opener against Haiti in Brisbane now just four days away, the time will finally come for head coach Wiegman to show her hand. And the chances are that the young Chelsea playmaker will be in it.
Wiegman used James ahead of Chloe Kelly out wide – and also thrust her in a more central role during the dress rehearsal against Portugal. The Lionesses’ head coach has plenty of options up front – but appears to favour a formation with James, sister of Chelsea’s men’s first-teamer Reece, over any others.
The 22-year-old started in the Finalissima against Brazil in the last high-profile game and with England drawing a blank in front of goal in their past three games, inspiration in attacking areas is sorely needed.