With the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in full swing, England manager Sarina Wiegman has once again stirred tactical intrigue. Ahead of the Lionesses’ crucial group-stage matches, Wiegman has hinted that Chelsea star Lauren James could be deployed in a central attacking midfield role—the coveted No. 10 position.
This move marks a potential shift in England’s tactical blueprint, signaling Wiegman’s intent to extract the most from James’ creative brilliance. Often deployed on the wing, the 23-year-old forward possesses the vision, flair, and technical artistry to thrive between the lines—a zone historically reserved for England’s most influential creators.
As the Lionesses look to bounce back from a disappointing opening loss to France, the possible repositioning of James is more than a personnel tweak—it may well define the team’s attacking identity for the remainder of the tournament.
In this article, we’ll explore why Wiegman is considering this tactical shift, how James fits the mold of a modern No. 10, what this means for England’s midfield balance, and how her presence in that role could change the course of Euro 2025.
Lauren James A Rising Star with Multifaceted Brilliance
Lauren James has long been recognized as one of the brightest talents in English football. Her rise has been meteoric, powered by her elegant dribbling, goal-scoring prowess, and fearless creativity. In a generation of versatile attackers, she stands out for her ability to influence matches in multiple ways.
At Chelsea, under manager Emma Hayes, James has been primarily used as a wide forward—typically cutting inside from the right. Her performances in the Women’s Super League (WSL) have been sensational, leading Chelsea in goal involvements during the 2024–25 season and regularly turning matches on their head with moments of solo brilliance.
But those who follow her closely have often wondered: could she do even more in a central role?
Sarina Wiegman appears to think so.
Speaking ahead of England’s second group-stage match, Wiegman said:
“Lauren has the intelligence and spatial awareness to operate centrally. When she gets on the ball in pockets of space, good things tend to happen. The No. 10 role is something we’ve looked at, and she has the qualities to excel there.”
This is no idle comment. It’s a calculated hint at a tactical shift that could unleash England’s attacking potential at a time when the team needs a creative spark.
The No. 10 Role Unlocking England’s Creative Engine
In modern football, the No. 10 is both a luxury and a necessity—a player tasked with stitching together possession, creating overloads, and unlocking deep defensive blocks. For England, this role has historically lacked a consistent occupant, especially since Fran Kirby’s injury-plagued seasons and shifting formations under Wiegman.
In Euro 2022, England played a more structured 4-2-3-1 system, with Ella Toone often operating in that central role. While Toone brought energy and work rate, the team relied heavily on wide play through Beth Mead and Lauren Hemp for penetration.
Now, with Mead injured and England looking to build a more possession-oriented approach, James could bring something different: a true link between midfield and attack who thrives in chaos and can manufacture moments of genius.
James’ skill set—tight control, body feints, disguised passes, and a lethal right foot—makes her tailor-made for the No. 10 role. She’s the type of player who can receive the ball under pressure, turn quickly, and either beat a defender or thread a through ball.
More importantly, she’s fearless. Her willingness to take risks in the final third could be the key to breaking down compact defensive units—something England struggled with in their opening loss to France.
Tactical Implications Rebalancing the Midfield
Deploying James centrally will require recalibrating the midfield structure.
England’s current system tends to revolve around a double pivot, with Keira Walsh sitting deep and Georgia Stanway operating box-to-box. Introducing James in front of them could create a 4-2-3-1 setup, offering a defined vertical progression from defense to attack.
Here’s how the midfield might look:
- Keira Walsh (CDM) – Anchors the midfield, dictates tempo, and recycles possession.
- Georgia Stanway (CM) – Offers energy, ball-winning ability, and late runs into the box.
- Lauren James (CAM) – Floats between lines, links play, and creates chances.
This trio offers balance. Walsh shields the backline, Stanway provides vertical thrust, and James becomes the creative heartbeat. Her positioning between the opponent’s midfield and defensive lines would demand attention, potentially dragging defenders out of shape and creating space for others.
However, this also brings challenges. James isn’t known for her defensive output, and England could be vulnerable to counters if she doesn’t contribute to the press or track runners. This places greater responsibility on Stanway to cover ground and on the wingers to assist in pressing from the front.
Wiegman is likely to weigh these factors carefully. But in tournament football, where moments of brilliance can win tight games, risk-taking is often rewarded. And James is worth the gamble.
Chemistry with the Front Line A New Dynamic in Attack
One of the most exciting prospects of James playing centrally is the new dynamic it introduces among England’s front four.
Consider this potential attacking quartet:
- Left Wing: Lauren Hemp
- Striker: Alessia Russo
- Right Wing: Chloe Kelly
- No. 10: Lauren James
This setup is brimming with pace, strength, and skill. Russo offers hold-up play and aerial presence. Hemp and Kelly stretch the pitch with their speed and width. James becomes the orchestrator—linking, roaming, and threading passes into space.
She’s particularly well-suited to playing off Russo, who can occupy defenders and create pockets for James to exploit. The two have shown glimpses of chemistry in training, and Wiegman may be banking on that connection flourishing in match situations.
Additionally, James’ presence in central areas would free up Hemp and Kelly to make diagonal runs in behind, with James feeding them or switching play. England’s attack becomes less predictable, more fluid, and harder to contain.
It’s a move that doesn’t just change the system—it elevates the collective.
Historical Comparisons James Following in Kirby’s Footsteps
If James excels as a No. 10, she may be seen as the natural heir to Fran Kirby—a player who defined England’s creative identity for nearly a decade.
Kirby’s best years saw her operate centrally, ghosting into dangerous areas and linking seamlessly with strikers like Ellen White. She was the fulcrum of England’s attack, especially during their run to the 2019 World Cup semifinals.
James brings a similar creative impulse, but with more physicality and a stronger 1v1 skill set. She’s less about subtlety and more about imposing herself on matches with bursts of brilliance.
In this way, she represents a new breed of No. 10—less reliant on intricate passing networks and more capable of solo ingenuity. Think less Mesut Özil, more Kevin De Bruyne with swagger.
Should she succeed in this role, she could redefine what England’s attacking midfield looks like in the years ahead.
What Wiegman Is Really Saying
Sarina Wiegman is famously pragmatic. She rarely reveals much in press conferences, often downplaying tactical shifts or personnel changes. So when she hints at something, it’s usually intentional.
By flagging James’ potential in the No. 10 role, Wiegman is sending a message: that she trusts her star players to take center stage. That England won’t shy away from evolving. And that they’re willing to be bold in pursuit of continental glory.
“She has the freedom to express herself,” Wiegman added. “Our job is to create the structure so she can shine.”
This quote is telling. It suggests Wiegman has identified James as the creative key—someone who can tilt matches in England’s favor when others struggle to find a way through.
If Wiegman pulls the trigger on this tactical switch in the next match, it could be a tournament-defining decision.
Fans and Pundits React Excitement Meets Curiosity
News of James’ potential new role has divided opinion among fans and pundits alike.
Former England international Fara Williams told BBC Sport:
“Lauren James is the most naturally gifted footballer in the squad. Playing her centrally could unlock another gear in England’s attack. But it’s about the system supporting her.”
Meanwhile, some fans have expressed concern about her defensive work rate, especially against stronger midfields like Germany or Spain. On social media, reactions ranged from hopeful to cautious:
- “James in the No. 10 role? That’s cooking with gas!”
- “She’ll need to work hard off the ball, or we’ll get overrun.”
- “This could be her tournament if she’s allowed to play centrally.”
The consensus? It’s a high-risk, high-reward move—but one worth making.
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