Chelsea manager Emma Hayes praises the “football genius” Lauren James following her hat-trick against Manchester United

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes expressed high praise for star forward Lauren James following her impressive performance, which included a hat-trick against her former club Manchester United. James played a key role in Chelsea’s 3-1 victory in the Women’s Super League (WSL), helping the team maintain a three-point lead at the top of the table.

In her post-match comments, Hayes, who is set to depart as the Blues’ manager, described James as a “genius footballer.” This accolade highlights the manager’s admiration for James’s exceptional skills and contributions to the team’s success.

Hayes expressed to Sky Sports that Lauren’s individual performance stands out in a way she has never seen before. She explained that if opponents apply pressure, Lauren has the ability to skillfully navigate past them, and if they back off, she can make strategic moves that leave them thinking they have her contained. Highlighting Lauren’s explosiveness and ambidextrous skills, Hayes noted that she excels with both her left and right feet, a versatility not commonly seen in players who usually favor one side.

Hayes was thoroughly impressed with Lauren’s overall contribution, praising her for flawlessly executing the game plan and playing her role to perfection. In the second half, with Mia Fishel joining the action, Lauren continued to shine, showcasing her capabilities in both the No. 9 and No. 10 positions. Hayes particularly commended Lauren’s finishing skills, describing it as that of a natural finisher.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Hayes acknowledged the complexities involved with Lauren as an individual, emphasizing that human beings are multifaceted. Despite these complexities, she labeled Lauren as a genius footballer and expressed her happiness for the player’s accomplishments.

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Lauren aimed to showcase her versatility to the home fans, proving she can perform effectively in both the No. 10 and No. 9 roles, particularly shining in the latter during the second half. Hayes praised Lauren’s exceptional hold-up play.

The discussion of who would take up the forward position has been a prominent one for Chelsea, prompted by the significant injury suffered by Australian Sam Kerr. Hayes emphasized that replacing Kerr is a collective effort, with various players contributing. Lauren demonstrated this today, and last week Mia Fishel made a notable impact.

Hayes highlighted the shared responsibility among the team’s young players, who are tasked with shouldering significant roles as defending champions. She commended their superb handling of these responsibilities.

For those interested, Chelsea’s upcoming Champions League clash against Real Madrid can be watched live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Wednesday, January 24.