Lauren James Completes Chelsea Move

Lauren James Joins Chelsea Women

James Completes Move

Chelsea’s move for Lauren James has been in the pipeline for some time. The forward was at Chelsea as a youngster before moving on to Arsenal, and subsequently joining Manchester United. She has scored 22 goals across three seasons in the Women’s Championship and the WSL. Lauren was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the year award in 2019/20. She joins her brother Reece James at Chelsea.

She has played across the youth teams for England, and was, in fact, called up to the England Women training camp last October. She scored as a subsitute against Chelsea on the opening day of the 2020/21 season. Lauren has signed a four-year contract for the club, joining in a WSL record £200,000 fee.

Emma Hayes has a strong squad that includes Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder. Harder, in fact, is the reigning UEFA Women’s Player of the Year. Kerr, meanwhile, arrived with a stellar reputation. After a quiet start, she scored 22 goals last season, picking up the Golden Boot. The two of them, along with a rejuvenated Fran Kirby, have kept 2019/20 WSL Player of the Season Bethany England on the bench. Hayes will have further options to pick from as she attempts to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League after falling to Barcelona in last season’s final.

Long-Serving Blundell Moves on

Hannah Blundell has joined Manchester United after 11 years at Chelsea. Blundell is a graduate of Chelse’s Centre of Excellence, and made her WSL debut in 2013 against Birmingham City. Since joining the club as 16-year old, making 165 appearances, scoring 12 times.

She was a joint winner of the 2015 Young Player of the Year award with Millie Bright, and made the PFA Team of the Season for her displays in 2017/18. Blundell won four WSL titles, two FA Cups, two League Cups, and the 2017 Spring Series.

The 27-year-old right-back becomes Manchester United’s second new arrival 0f the season after Norway international Vilde Bøe Risa from Sandviken. They are yet to appoint a new manager since the departure of Casey Stoney. A number of players have left the club this summer. Marc Skinner, who is currently at Orlando Pride, is reportedly close to joining as Manchester United Women’s new head coach.