Bompastor hails Lauren James as “best talent in the world” after inspiring Chelsea to Women’s League Cup triumph | OneFootball

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor suggested Lauren James’ performance in her side’s Subway Women’s League Cup final win over Manchester United was a reminder of her status as one of the world’s best.

James wreaked havoc when roaming across the front line throughout the 2-0 victory at Ashton Gate and came back to haunt the club where she began developing her career, having helped the Red Devils win promotion to the top tier in 2019.

She clinically dispatched Chelsea’s opening goal after latching onto an error by Manchester United, slotting past Phallon Tullis-Joyce inside 20 minutes.

She penned an extended contract on Friday alongside brother and men’s captain Reece James, and delivered effortlessly in another final to add another trophy to her collection.

James, 24, was a regular absentee at the beginning of the season due to an injury picked up in the European Championships last summer, representing England.

She has scored just three goals this term for Chelsea, but her recent standout performances for club and country have given her every reason to restore her status among the world’s elite attackers. Her manager certainly thinks so.

Sonia Bompastor joined Chelsea at the beginning of last season, taking the reins from esteemed predecessor Emma Hayes.

Bompastor won two Champions League titles at the helm of Lyon with a plethora of respected players at her disposal.

Yet, the Chelsea boss said James’ quality eclipsed any other player she has managed at her previous employers.

She heaped praise on her noticeable influence in the final, echoing the comments of United boss Marc Skinner in Bristol.

“I think for now, if the injuries go away from her, she’s one of the best in the world. And I don’t know if I already said that, but I was fortunate to be in my previous environment, coaching really great players.

“I’m fortunate in this environment to coach great players with a lot of talent, but probably LJ (Lauren James) is the one who has the best talent in the world.

“When you are the manager, your job is to prepare your team to go into the final with the best preparation possible. But when you have these players on the pitch, they just make the difference for you.”

Bompastor had to make enforced adjustments to her back line with less than half an hour remaining to maintain her side’s 1-0 lead.

Kadeisha Buchanan’s minutes continued to be managed after experiencing a long injury layoff, yet substitute Nathalie Bjorn suffered a calf injury almost immediately after coming on.

Chelsea showed defensive resolve to adapt, and equally did not decide to retreat and allow United to control possession.

They were ultimately rewarded for this approach when they doubled their advantage, courtesy of half-time substitute Agnes Beever-Jones, to seal their fourth Women’s League Cup title.

Bompastor pinpointed this shared defensive mentality as the key ingredient for withstanding any unexpected changes in the back line, and James is no exception.

“We are strong mentally. We are strong in the way we want to defend as a team. I think it’s always good to reward the defenders at the back line for the hard work they are putting on the pitch, but I think it’s a team effort and performance as well.

“That’s part of what I want to create for the team. I want everyone to be involved in the defensive aspects. I think today you could see even LJ, who is probably not known for being the player who defends the most on the pitch.

“But again, since I joined, she’s doing a great job. She helps the team and I think I am really glad with that.”