Wiegman warns Lauren James can still improve ahead of Women's World Cup
Sarina Wiegman has warned England' s rivals there is still more to come from breakout star Lauren James after the Lionesses retained the Arnold Clark Cup.
England thrashed Belgium 6-1 in Bristol to secure another trophy, with Chloe Kelly and Leah Williamson both scoring twice, with Lucy Bronze also getting on the scoresheet during a late flurry. The win ensured they finished top of the group with maximum points, following wins over South Korea and Italy over the past week.
James was awarded the Player of the Tournament award after a series of dazzling displays, complete with a rampant first-half performance in the decider against the Red Flames. However, she was withdrawn at half-time with Lauren Hemp replacing her as a substitute for the second-half.
And Wiegman believes the Chelsea star still has even more to show on the international stage. "She is getting there," Wiegman told ITV Sport. "But I think there is a lot more to come from her. We've said it throughout this week a number of times.
"But she is a big, big talent. She is very powerful on the ball, tight on the ball and she has the speed.
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"She needs to get a little fitter so she can keep up her level for ninety minutes, but she is getting there. I just hope she keeps enjoying herself and can keep playing as good as she is now."
James once again looked dangerous as she returned to the England starting line-up (Getty Images)Wiegman was also full of praise for two-goal hero Kelly. The Man City forward had only scored twice for the Lionesses before 2023, one of which was her winning goal in the Euro 2022 final. But Kelly struck three times this week to claim the golden boot.
"She is in good form," said Wiegman. "She is very dangerous in the final third and scored two goals, that is good for the team but good for her.
"She has done very well. You see so much joy in this team and that is what you see with her too."
The 2023 Arnold Clark Cup is England's third trophy under Dutchwoman, with their unbeaten run now standing at 29 games. But Wiegman is refusing to get carried away .
"I think we're in a good place," she added. The competition in a team is really, really high. You hear us saying it all the time, but it is so true, it is really tight. We still have five months to go but the games were good. Moving forward we know we have to step up more because the opponents in the World Cup will be even better."
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