Lauren James defends her Euro 2025 performance, explaining she was struggling with an injury and was still willing to play through it. She urges fans to be more empathetic towards players, as they are unaware of the challenges they are facing behind the scenes. James’s injury is set to keep her out of Chelsea’s Women’s Super League campaign.
England's Lauren James has spoken out about the criticism she faced following her performances at Euro 2025, urging fans to consider the challenges players face behind the scenes. James, who was part of the Lionesses squad that lifted the trophy after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Spain, admitted that she struggled with form and injury during the tournament, leading to negative comments from some supporters.
The Lionesses' triumph at Euro 2025 was a historic moment, marking their second consecutive title and placing them among the elite teams in European football. Their journey to the final was fraught with challenges, including injuries to key players like James. The final against Spain was a nail-biting affair, ending in a 1-1 draw after extra time before England clinched the victory 3-1 on penalties.
James's inclusion in Sarina Wiegman's squad was initially in doubt due to an injury concern leading up to the tournament. However, she was deemed fit to participate and was expected to play a crucial role in England's title defense. She started all six games for her country and managed to find the net twice, demonstrating her potential impact on the team's success.
Despite her contributions, James revealed that she sustained an injury during the quarter-final match against Sweden. This injury hampered her ability to perform at her best in the subsequent matches, forcing her to be substituted in both the semi-final and the final. The frustration of not being able to contribute fully to the team's efforts, coupled with the criticism she received, took a toll on the young player.
"It was an amazing achievement, but during the last two games I wasn’t able to help the team," James told BBC Sport, reflecting on England's victory. She expressed her disappointment at not being able to play a more significant role in the final stages of the tournament due to her injury.
James also addressed the negative comments she received from fans and the public, highlighting the impact that such criticism can have on players. "To also get negative comments, from fans and the public – sometimes people are too quick to judge," she said. She emphasized that fans are often unaware of the full extent of what players are dealing with, both on and off the field.
"A lot of the time, fans don’t know what is going on; they only know what is in front of them," James explained. She urged fans to be more mindful of the challenges that players face, including injuries, personal issues, and the pressure to perform at the highest level. "They don’t know what someone is dealing with, what is going on in their life. I always say to the fans, be mindful, you don’t know what someone is dealing with out there. You could just be adding on to it."
James passionately defended the commitment of all players, asserting that no one enters a game or a season with the intention of not trying their best. "No player goes into a game or into a season thinking I’m not going to try," she stated. She underscored the significance of the Euros and the lengths to which players would go to participate, even if it meant playing through pain. "It was a Euros; they don’t come around often. You could have one leg hanging off, I will still tell you that I’m going to try to play."
The injury James sustained against Sweden is expected to sideline her for the start of Chelsea’s Women’s Super League campaign. This setback comes after she missed a significant portion of the previous season due to injury. Her absence will undoubtedly be a blow to Chelsea, who are looking to build on their success under Sonia Bompastor.
Despite her limited appearances, James contributed to Chelsea's domestic treble-winning season, featuring in nine WSL matches and scoring three goals, while also providing one assist. Her performances showcased her talent and potential, making her a key player for both club and country.
"I was obviously fighting to be fit for the Euros, then suffered another injury in the quarter-finals, and tried to play on," James reiterated. She emphasized her determination to overcome her injury struggles and contribute to her team's success. "Then people assume you’re not trying, but at the end of the day I’m in a ridiculous amount of pain, which caused me to come off at half-time in the semi-finals and before half-time in the final."
As James focuses on her recovery, there is no confirmed return date for her. Chelsea are set to begin their WSL campaign against Manchester City on Friday, a match that James will unfortunately miss. Her fans and teammates will be eagerly awaiting her return to the pitch, hoping to see her back to her best form soon.