After her hat-trick against Manchester United, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes showers praise on the talented footballer Lauren James, describing her as a brilliant player.

In a thrilling match at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Manchester United in the Barclays Women’s Super League. The star of the show was none other than Chelsea’s forward, Lauren James, who scored a remarkable hat-trick against her former club.

Chelsea manager, Emma Hayes, was full of praise for James, describing her as a “genius footballer.” Hayes highlighted James’ exceptional individual skills, stating, “I’ve never seen a player like Lauren do the things she does individually.” She commended James’ ability to outmaneuver opponents, saying, “If you get tight to her, she’ll roll you. If you drop off of her, next time she makes a move, you think you’ve got her.”

Hayes also emphasized James’ explosive nature and versatility, noting her proficiency with both her left and right foot. She expressed her admiration for James’ overall performance, stating, “I was impressed with her whole performance…I thought she carried out the game plan and her role in that to perfection.”

The Chelsea manager also praised Mia Fishel, who came on in the second half and performed admirably. Hayes acknowledged Fishel’s contribution to the team and her ability to adapt to different positions. She highlighted Fishel’s qualities as a No. 9 or No. 10 and praised her exceptional finishing skills.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Hayes acknowledged the complexities involved with James as a person but emphasized her genius on the football field. She expressed her happiness for James and her desire to prove herself to the home fans. Hayes also mentioned the ongoing discussion surrounding Chelsea’s forward position following Sam Kerr’s serious injury. She emphasized that it is a collective effort to replace Kerr’s goals and praised the young players for shouldering the responsibility as champions.

Looking ahead, Chelsea’s next game is a Champions League clash against Real Madrid, which will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Wednesday, January 24.