Star forward James proving why she is at the centre of Chelsea success

Lauren James has made a stunning start to the season for Chelsea. 

Her hat-trick in the 3-1 victory over Manchester United last Sunday, took her Women's Super League tally for the campaign to 10 goals in as many games. 

Ahead of the Blues' Champions League clash against Real Madrid tonight, we examine how James is reaching new heights in her career. 

Best season

James has already smashed her previous best goals total for a WSL season. 

In her debut campaign at that level for her former club Manchester United, she scored six times in 12 games. 

The 22-year-old's best effort for Chelsea was the five goals in 18 appearances last season. 

With 10 goals already, James is well on the way to bettering her total of 14 in 18 games, which she recorded in the Championship for United in 2018-19. 

What is more, the bulk of those goals have come in recent fixtures, with the forward scoring nine times in her last five league appearances. 

Chelsea faced three of the current top five in those games, scoring a hat-trick against Liverpool, as well as the Red Devils.

The explosion in James' productivity has come at the right time for the Blues, who lost their star striker Sam Kerr to injury at the start of the month.

Positional changes

With Kerr injured, James was given a new role against Marc Skinner's side, playing behind the striker in the first half and then as the centre forward in the second. 

Following that match-winning performance, Chelsea boss Emma Hayes was effusive in her praise. 

She said: "I've never seen a player like Lauren do the things she does individually. 

"If you get tight to her, she'll roll you. If you drop off of her, next time she makes a move, you think you've got her. 

"She's so explosive. She's got a left and a right foot. Often players have got strong sides but I think she can do it on both feet. I was impressed with her whole performance. 

"I thought she carried out the game plan and her role in that to perfection. It changed in the second half with Mia [Fishel] coming out and I think she did that equally as well. 

"She's shown her qualities as a No9 or No10 and her finishing was second to none. The quality of that is a natural finisher. 

"She wanted to demonstrate to the home fans that she could step forward, that she can do it as a No10, and a No9 in the second half. Her hold up play is unbelievable." 

Madrid task

James has now scored hat-tricks in successive WSL home matches at Stamford Bridge. 

When asked why she was so prolific at the stadium, she said: "I really don't know the answer to that. I just love scoring and I try and do that as much as possible to help the team win." 

Next up is another match at Stamford Bridge against Real, with James having yet to score in the Champions League this season. 

Hayes must decide whether to employ the England star as an outright striker or in a more withdrawn role, having used her in both positions at the weekend. 

If James can shoot Chelsea to another victory, they will book their place in the knockout stages of the competition.