Siblings Reece and Lauren James are the first-ever siblings to represent the same club and country in both the men's and women's categories. Although Reece is unfortunately prone to injuries, Chelsea and England fans love him for his versatility and leadership qualities. The same goes for Lauren. Although injuries disrupted the start of the 2025/26 season for her, she was an important part of The Lionesses' journey to the title at the 2025 Euros, and Chelsea fans rely on her as a key support in their attack.
When it comes to success, Lauren James may even surpassed her brother in terms of silverware. While the Chelsea men's team last claimed the Premier League title in the 2016/17 season, the women’s team has been on an extraordinary run, winning six consecutive league titles and claiming two domestic cups in recent years. The one trophy still eluding them is the Women's Champions League, a prestigious title that only English team, who can success this is Arsenal — first in 2007, and again recently in 2025.
Like her brother, Lauren began her football journey at Chelsea’s academy, joining at just six years old. She had dreamed of playing for the club since she was a child, idolizing Belgian winger Eden Hazard, one of Chelsea’s most celebrated players of his time.
Early on, the James siblings even played together in tournaments for Chelsea. “Lauren and I played together in several tournaments on the same team. It was great to play with her and win together,” Reece reflected in later years.
However, Lauren’s path took a different turn when she left Chelsea for rivals Arsenal, where she made her senior debut. She later moved to Manchester United, where her talents truly flourished, as she netted 22 goals in 40 appearances, establishing herself as one of the top attackers in the Women’s Super League (WSL). After three successful seasons at Manchester United, Lauren returned to Chelsea in 2021, cementing herself as a vital player for both club and country.
Together, Lauren and Reece made history as the first brother and sister to represent the same club and national team at the highest level, a remarkable achievement in itself. And when it comes to trophies, Lauren continues to outshine her brother, with her incredible contributions to England’s European Championship success in 2025 adding to her list of accomplishments.
Lauren unfortunately missed out on the tournament in 2022, which saw the Lionesses win their first-ever European Championship on home soil at a packed Wembley Stadium. But by 2025, Lauren was a starter, playing a crucial role in England’s successful defense of their title.
Lauren’s football journey has always been deeply influenced by her family. Her father, Nigel, a UEFA-licensed coach, introduced both her and Reece to the sport. Neither he nor their mother, Emma, a nurse, made distinctions between their children, offering equal support in all their endeavors, whether it was taking them to training or cheering them on from the sidelines. This unwavering support clearly paid off, with two siblings now thriving at the pinnacle of professional sport.
For Lauren, Reece remains her greatest football inspiration. Despite all her individual success, Lauren continues to look up to her older brother, whose determination and skill have served as a constant source of motivation throughout her career.
