Chelsea manager Emma Hayes praises forward Lauren James as a “maverick” player whose performance against Arsenal was described as “unstoppable.”

Emma Hayes hailed Lauren James as a “maverick” following her outstanding performance in Chelsea’s 3-1 triumph over Arsenal on Friday night. The victory propelled Hayes’ team three points clear of Manchester City, although City still have a game in hand. Meanwhile, Arsenal now find themselves six points adrift, having played the same number of games as Chelsea.

James played a pivotal role in the win, notching the opening goal of the match and contributing to Sjoeke Nusken’s brace. Within just 32 minutes at Stamford Bridge, the home side had established a commanding 3-0 lead before conceding a late consolation goal.

With 13 goals in 22 Women’s Super League appearances this season, James currently sits second in the league’s goal-scoring charts. Hayes was effusive in her praise, describing the young forward as “unplayable.” She stated, “It’s a playground for her out there. We coach many different players, but Lauren is a maverick. Her game may not always be flawless or consistent in every aspect, but I understand her.”

Hayes acknowledged that managing James can be challenging, both for herself and England manager Sarina Wiegman. She admitted, “She’s not easy to manage, Sarina would say the same thing. Sarina and I work together to try to get on the same page for LJ, and our relationship has been excellent in terms of managing her.”

The Chelsea manager emphasized the importance of placing James in positions where she can excel and simplifying her role. While she acknowledged that extraordinary performances from James are not always guaranteed, Hayes believed that in the match against Arsenal, the young forward was simply unstoppable.

Hayes also shed light on the difficulties of managing James, noting that she sometimes struggles to understand her boundaries in certain situations. She described James as demanding when she wants something but expressed her unwavering affection for the player, stating, “I love LJ, I love that kid, and although she can be infuriating at times for her team, I love her.”

In conclusion, James’ exceptional display against Arsenal showcased her immense talent and impact on the pitch. While her style of play may be unconventional, it is precisely this “maverick” quality that makes her such a valuable asset to Chelsea.