England's James would love to step out of brother's shadow

BURTON UPON TRENT, England : Lauren James is fiercely proud of her brother Reece and calls him her best friend but the 21-year-old England forward would rather shape her own soccer career than play in his shadow.

James, who has 11 caps for England and is developing into a powerful force up front, said she was often compared to Reece who is two years her senior.

"I do feel like that a lot," James said at England's pre-World Cup media day. "Even just 'that's Lauren James, that's Reece's sister.' But I want to carve out (my own name) and be known as 'this is Lauren James'.

"At the moment, men's football has a lot bigger profile and I'm sure there are times when I've said 'Oh, that's so and so's sister,' I think it's just natural."

Both siblings play for Chelsea and England, and their father Nigel is a UEFA licensed coach whom Lauren has credited as her inspiration.

James made her senior debut with England on Sept. 3 2022 and scored her first international goal on Feb. 16. Considered one of the young stars on Sarina Wiegman's side, she promises to play a big role for the fourth-ranked Lionesses when the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand kicks off on July 20.

A major part of her development was moving to Manchester United from Arsenal when she was 16.

"It was weird at first, I was young... (but) without making that move, I think I probably wouldn't be where I am now," James said.

The toughest thing part about leaving home at such a young age?

"I can't cook," she laughed, adding that her go-to meal was salmon and rice. "I'd say days off, just being away from my friends that were all in London and family, it's a long distance, and sometimes you're too tired and it takes it out of you when you just want to hop on a train to go