James delivered message by Lionesses legend after dazzling Women's World Cup display

By Oli Dickson Jefford

Rachel Yankey reckons Lauren James’ rare risk-taking ability can help the Lionesses continue to roar through the Women’s World Cup knockout stages.

Making her international tournament debut, the 21-year-old – younger sister of England and Chelsea men’s ace Reece – grabbed two superb goals and three assists as England’s campaign Down Under well and truly sparked into life with a 6-1 win over China.

James did not start England’s opening game against Haiti, a match Sarina Wiegman’s team narrowly won 1-0, though scored the crucial goal after being deployed from the off in England’s 1-0 victory over Denmark in their second match.

And she was front and centre again in their final Group D encounter, playing an instrumental role as England became just the second team this World Cup to win all their group stage matches.

James was not in the triumphant Euros squad 12 months ago, and Lionesses legend Yankey – also England’s first female professional footballer – believes that the Chelsea star has taken advantage of an incredible opportunity to become an integral part of Wiegman’s squad.

“Lauren’s taken her opportunity,” said Yankey, who was speaking from Bearsted FC – Alessia Russo’s childhood club – to celebrate the transformational impact on women and girls’ football across the UK that funding made possible by National Lottery players has had.

“Possibly, if other players weren’t injured, would she have been playing, would she have got into the squad? She’s been given an opportunity and she’s grabbed that with both hands, and that just shows her character, but also her ability.

“Once she gets on the ball, she’s not afraid to try things. That comes from the environment you’re in, the environment that the manager will set, that people can actually take risks.

“Sometimes, if it’s not feeling as free, you can shut players down and make it difficult for them to play openly.

“Hopefully they can continue in that way and get through to the final rounds.”

The National Lottery and its players have transformed women & girls’ football in the UK, investing more than £50million over the last 10 years. This money has gone into facilities and clubs at community level to create more opportunities for women and girls all over the UK to play football, as well helping to develop the elite pathway.

National Lottery funding has also enabled nearly 200 new clubs/teams to be set-up across the country in the last year, following the Lionesses Euros win.

James was not the only player to make her mark in an emphatic result, with Russo, Lauren Hemp and Rachel Daly all scoring and Chloe Kelly also netting after coming on from the bench.

Boss Wiegman and the Lionesses have faced recent criticism for a lack of goals in open play but any doubts about finishing ability in the squad will surely now have been put to bed.

And as they prepare for a round of 16 clash against Nigeria, Yankey - who played 129 times for England throughout her career - believes the performance will set a solid platform for the rest of the tournament.

The 43-year-old said: “The performance looked quite up front, it looked free, it looked fluid in all positions. It was a good game to play.

“I don't think it was the best Chinese team I’ve seen, I thought it would be a tighter game and competitive considering they needed to win. I think England really handled the game and opposition.

“For anyone, you want to get on the scoresheet, you want to say that you’ve scored at a World Cup. Goals bring confidence, wins make people smile and confidence into the next round.

“I think the Nigeria game will be difficult to be quite honest, they are a hard opponent to play against, but now you’ve got people that feel on top of the world really.

“Scoring goals, playing a good style of football. I imagine they are in a really good place.”

National Lottery players have transformed women and girls’ football in the UK, with more than £50 million invested in the last 10 years alone. Find out how your numbers make amazing happen at: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk #TNLAthletes #MakeAmazingHappen