Lauren James, the England star riding high at Women's World Cup

“At the moment, men's football has a much bigger profile and I'm sure there are times when I've said 'oh, that's so and so's sister', I think it's just natural. But it doesn't bother me too much because I know I have my own career."

So said rising England and Chelsea star Lauren James — sister of Reece James, who also plays for Chelsea — before the Fifa Women’s World Cup. “I want to carve out (my own name) and be known as 'this is Lauren James',” she added.

The way her tournament trajectory is going, the 21-year-old Lioness is well on her way to doing just that after being omitted from England’s starting XI for their opener against Haiti, scoring the winner against Denmark in her maiden tournament match and then producing a slice of history against China as they booked their berth in the knock-out stages.

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James scored two goals, denied a hat-trick by VAR, and three assists against China as England cast aside China 6-1. Her exploits saw her become the first England player, man or woman, to be directly involved in five or more goals in a single World Cup match.

Little wonder that her team-mates have called James their 'cheat code'.

"I mean you put LJ anywhere on the pitch and she'll get the ball, because players want to play with her," England's Rachel Daly added to reporters in Australia.

"I personally love linking up with her, she's a great player. I can't speak highly enough of her. But she caused a real problem throughout the whole game to be honest. She is a nightmare for defenders to defend as the ball just sticks to her. She's lethal."

The forward’s brother — the Jameses are the only brother and sister duo to play for England at senior level — has even said previously that Lauren is the “best player in the world and will be for the next 10-15 years”.

Only time will tell if Reece will be proved right, given that she has only just begun her senior international career after injury saw her miss being part of Serena Wiegman’s England squad for their European Championship success last summer.

James made her England debut last September when she came on as a substitute during a World Cup qualification match against Austria. She hasn't looked back.

Her debut goal came in February against South Korea and followed a fine domestic season with Chelsea where she was awarded PFA Young Player of The Year and a contract extension with the club to 2027.

Her performances saw Chelsea lift the title ahead of Manchester United and Arsenal, the two clubs she had previously played for in the Women's Super League.

After kicking a ball around with her brother as a toddler, then having trained with Chelsea as a six-year-old, she made her WSL debut with Arsenal as a fledgling 16-year-old. James then cited her move to newly-formed Manchester United in 2018 and the step down to the Championship as a major catalyst in her career.

She notched 22 goals in 40 appearances before her move to the Blues in 2021.

Five years on from her United entrance and England travel back to Brisbane and a meeting with Nigeria in the last 16 of the Women's World Cup on Monday. A place in the quarter-finals for the third World Cup running now looms.

"Everyone is buzzing," James added after her standout performance against China in a rejigged No.10 position.

"We are looking forward to the next round. I felt free, whether I'm on the wing or in the middle, I'm happy to be playing and contributing to goals.”

Goals that saw her earn the tag in one football publication as “the greatest individual performance from an England player at a Men's or Women's World Cup”.

The world is seemingly at her feet.

Watch: Lauren James, The Pride