- Lauren James appeared to put Millie Turner in a headlock during Sunday’s game
- Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Man United during their Cup semi-final on Sunday
- Championship title hopefuls are falling at the final hurdle! Who seizes the day to reach the Premier League from here? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
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Questions have arisen among fans online over a potential split between some key stars within the England women’s squad, after Lauren James appeared to unfollow Lionesses team-mates Mary Earps and Ella Toone on social media.
It came after the Chelsea star endured a difficult outing against Manchester United during Sunday’s FA Women’s Cup semi-final and was embroiled in a controversial incident just before half-time.
After Lucia Garcia and Rachel Williams put United 2-0 up in the first half, James hit back with a goal just on the stroke of half-time. In an attempt to get the ball back to take a quick re-start, the England striker seemed to put Millie Turner in a headlock as the United defender attempted to slow down play.
Turner subsequently made light of the situation, posting a photo of James putting her in a headlock on her Instagram, among several other images, with the caption ‘KAMMOONNNN’. She later re-posted that image onto her story, writing ‘See you at Wembley my reds’ with a heart-eye emoji and a heart emoji.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) have now pointed out that James, who received abuse online after she was sent off for a stamp on Nigeria‘s Michelle Alozie at the Women’s World Cup this summer, has subsequently unfollowed Turner, Toone and Earps.
It has raised speculation among some fans over whether there is a split emerging between some members of Sarina Wiegman’s England squad.
One fan took to social media to express their concerns, writing: ‘I wonder if something else has gone down cause Earps and Toone aren’t exactly fringe England players, I hope LJ is okay and I’m glad she’s protecting herself.’
Others have also spoken out critically of the Instagram post, with journalist Beth Fisher writing on X (formerly Twitter) that Tuner’s social media post was ‘totally classless’ and ‘immature’.
‘I don’t know how many times I’ve seen footballers wrestle with the opposition for the ball but yet again there are vile comments towards Lauren James,’ Fisher said.
‘Turner’s subsequent social media stuff is totally immature and classless and has added to the pile on.’
X user @LH1999x added: ‘Millie Turner and Nancy Baker have completely lost any respect I had for them. Just coz you won, you don’t get to share a picture you know will add fuel to the fire. You may laugh coz she posted it, but LJ is not laughing about it.
‘She’s unfollowed Millie Turner, Mary Earps and Ella Toone. She’s removed them as followers. Lauren James did NOT obviously find her photo funny.’
During the Women’s World Cup in Australia, James had become the target of abuse online after she was shown a red card during England’s game against Nigeria.
A similar incident had also occurred during Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat by Arsenal, in December where James appeared to stamp on Lia Walti. She was subsequently shown a yellow card for the incident and was substituted by Emma Hayes shortly after.
Hayes had revealed that the 22-year-old had ‘not been in a very good place’ following the abuse.
She said: ‘She’s not in a great place if I’m honest.
‘She’s a young player. She made an error in the summer. Of course she has to keep learning those things.
‘Of course every opponent tries everything possible to get Lauren red-carded. That’s been clear in every game we’ve played and she has to learn to handle that.
‘When she gets antagonised in a certain way, managing emotions comes with maturity and that isn’t there yet with her. It reminds me very much of David Beckham in many ways when he got red-carded in the World Cup.
‘I think the treatment of Lauren is sometimes very similar and I think we have to realise for a young person, in a day and age when social media is unbelievably vitriolic, some of the nasty language and labelling and name-calling goes over the edge.’
More to follow…
