The Blues are back in league action on Sunday when we host Arsenal at the Bridge. Sonia Bompastor's side claimed a 2-0 win against Manchester City at the stadium in November and will be hoping to make it two from two in SW6 against the Gunners.

It is set to be a clash of the WSL's top two, with the Blues currently sitting seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the halfway point.

But before we return to the Bridge this weekend, we sat down with James at Cobham to chat about each of her eight goals scored at the stadium last stadium...

Tottenham Hotspur - 2-1 - 1 October 2023

James opened her account for the season at the earliest opportunity last term as she netted our second goal in a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the season.

A fine finish in the 51st minute saw the forward volley home from close range, connecting with a ball whipped in by Niamh Charles. It was a well-deserved goal for the Blues who had gone close in the moments prior, but it was adjudged to have not crossed the line.

So, to double our advantage when she did, James believes, reflected capitalising on momentum and staying alert. Although, she confesses it was the result of her being in an unfamiliar situation.

'It was a phase of play where the ball came back out to the edge and then I just remember Niamh crossing it back in,' our No.10 said. 'To be fair, I don't usually go back into the box. I usually come out and stay out.

'But, I thought 'Why not?' and just followed through with my run. It was an unusual position for me to be in, but I found myself right in front of goal - and, yeah, finished it.'

It was the first of 16 goals the forward scored in 29 appearances across all competitions, with 13 of those efforts coming in the WSL. In SW6, the 23-year-old provided a clear sign of what was to come throughout the campaign.

James added: 'As soon as you get your first goal, you have rhythm with it. When that first one goes in, you can start flowing.'

Liverpool - 5-1 - 18 November 2023

The following month James was certainly the star of the show as we returned to the Bridge to face Liverpool. A first Chelsea hat-trick, with goals arriving in the 11th, 56th and 64th minute, helped the Blues to an emphatic 5-1 win.

Her first two goals were similar, burying the ball into the bottom corner from a tight angle, but her third saw an incoming James fire home when she latched on to a pass across the face of goal from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.

'Those last two goals came quite fast,' the forward said. 'It was obviously a nice feeling to score my first hat-trick for the club. As soon as you score one, and then two, it gives you even more confidence.

'My third goal, I just thought 'Let's shoot' because when you already have two then you're desperate to get a hat-trick. You saw my desire in that moment. A few years ago, I don't think I would have darted into the box for that.'

Not only was James on the scoresheet, but she also assisted fellow forward Aggie Beever-Jones, sending a delightful cross into the area and putting it on a plate for her team-mate to header the ball home.

'I'd say so,' the No.10 replied when we asked if her display against Liverpool remains one of her best in a Chelsea shirt to date. 'I got three goals and an assist, so I contributed to the team.'

Manchester United - 3-1 - 21 January 2024

After netting her first Chelsea hat-trick against Liverpool, James did not have to wait long for her next. Our next WSL match at the Bridge arrived in January and the forward picked up where she left off.

Against Manchester United, her former club where she spent three seasons, James opened the scoring after only five minutes. She bagged her brace less than 20 minutes later before scoring the third in the dying stages of the clash.

'It was kind of a bittersweet moment because it was against my old club,' James said. 'They were great assists and were all put in great areas for me to finish them off.

'My hair was out and people say I play different when my hair is out! But, I just try to enjoy each game and I especially felt that last season because I was allowed to be free and flow where I wanted to flow. That showed in my stats.'

When the third goal hit the back of the net, instinct saw James go directly to the fans sitting in the Matthew Harding Stand. Celebrating, she says, with the people this is all for.

'Sometimes when you have so much adrenaline, you don't even know where to go,' our No.10 said. 'I like playing at Stamford Bridge. The atmosphere, the pitch, even the build-up around it all leading up to the games, so it's special to celebrate with the fans.'

James grew up going to Stamford Bridge with her dad Nigel and brother Reece. She would have seen players score and could aspire to one day be prolific in front of goal like them.

In scoring at the stadium herself, James has become a Blue for budding footballers, girls and boys alike, to look up to, a poignant thing when she thinks back to the young Lauren.

'It's a great feeling to be an inspiration to those watching in the stands and for young boys and girls growing up wanting to maybe be like me, playing and scoring goals like Lauren at Stamford Bridge,' she explained. 'I want to keep doing that.'

Arsenal - 3-1 - 15 March 2024

For our final WSL match at the Bridge last season, it was only right that James opened the scoring against London rivals Arsenal.

In the 15th minute, the forward was delightfully picked out by Erin Cuthbert before skilfully making room to unleash a shot. And she hit a powerful one at that which could not be kept out by visiting goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.

'In the moment, I was like: 'Is it in or is it not?' but, once it was confirmed it was just a massive relief,' James said. 'Arsenal are a top team and it's always a battle against them, so scoring that first goal helps settle things a bit.

'I just remember that I chopped and then came back on again, but I think it was just the amount of power behind the shot that saw it go in.'

If you want to see goals at Stamford Bridge this weekend, buy your ticket for our WSL clash against Arsenal here!