The 21-year-old was a key component in the Blues side that secured a fourth consecutive Women’s Super League title, alongside a third successive FA Cup last season. These impressive performances have seen her called up to the Lionesses squad for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which gets underway on 20 July.

It was a successful campaign for James who collected the Women’s Young Player of the Year prize at the London Football Awards in March, and committed her immediate future to the Blues by signing a new contract at the end of the season.

Reflecting on the influence of Hayes, James speaks highly of the manager and believes the way she has been managed has been crucial in allowing her to come back from injuries and rediscover her best form on the pitch.

‘Emma is always helpful,’ James said. ‘She’s played a massive role in just getting me back to being myself again. She just says "enjoy it" and "start enjoying the moments". I had two years of constant injuries. She managed me well and it’s allowed me to find my feet again.

‘In the moment everyone is like "why is Lauren not playing?" and I want to be playing on the pitch, but in the long run it’s obviously paid out and it’s kept me on the pitch this season.’

James is part of the Lionesses squad which touched down in Australia on Friday. They have a behind-closed-doors warm-up game against Canada on 14 July before their opening Group D fixture against Haiti in Brisbane on 22 July.

She was present at Wembley for the 2022 European Championships triumph, an experience that motivated James to aspire for the World Cup. She remains grounded but cannot hide the desire to be part of another success story this time around.

‘Going to the final, it obviously made me feel more like "I want to make sure I’m there" this summer and it gave me a bit more motivation and hunger. I’d like to feel the same as what they felt last summer.’