We Are Chelsea - Your Questions with Lucy Bronze and Lauren James

Episode Date: February 19, 2025

This is We are Chelsea, the official podcast of Chelsea Women, brought to you in association with Škoda, the official car partner of Chelsea Women and proud supporters of women's sport. www.skoda.co.uk Caz De Moraes is joined by good friends and England internationals Lucy Bronze and Lauren James to find out the secret to their friendship. But what was the first text LJ ever sent to Lucy? They also answer your fan questions, and we find out which of their Chelsea team-mates would be the golden retriever of the group in a dog-themed game. To watch the full episode on YouTube, click here: https://www.youtube.com/@chelseafc/videos Send us your questions to [e-mail] #WeAreChelsea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and welcome to We Are Chelsea, the official podcast of Chelsea Women, brought to you in association with Skoda, who are the official car partner for Chelsea women and they are proud supporters of women's sport. I'm Kaz de Mores and today I am thrilled to be joined by two lionesses and good friends, Lucy Bronze and Lauren James. You've been asking for this one and we have delivered another iconic partnership. This is We Are Chelsea, with Lauren James and Lucy Bronze. Well, Lucy, Lauren, welcome to the podcast. So many fans have been asking for you guys, how are you?

Great. You can speak as well. Now, I need to ask about your friendship because you guys are close. You're now teammates on international duty. How did you first meet? Tell me about it. And what did you think of each other when you first met? Go on.

How did we first meet at England camp? And yeah, Lucy just started looking off to me since then. Yeah, we didn't know each other before that. I knew who each other were, obviously. Yeah. And I just took a liking to LJ from the very beginning. And one night, I remember one night she texted me, I was like, hi, can I, would you mind if I had a chat with you? Remember?

We didn't know each of it. It was like two days in. And she just wanted to have some advice and stuff. And I was like, yeah, I got. People don't know how sweet she is. Aw. People don't know the soft side of LJ. But yeah, I was just like, oh, that's like,

for a younger player to do that to one of the senior players and just, yeah, like, want to be better and want to get to know, like, more about being there. Yeah, I was just like, this is a good kid. I knew from that moment we were going to be good friends. Did you speak to LJ? I feel like obviously you spoke to LJ before you came here. And what did she say about Chelsea?

And what for you to expect? I didn't speak to anyone, to be fair. I didn't. I mean, I know Chelsea because, like, at England camp, LJ would always talk about, like, what it's like at Chelsea and stuff and obviously some of the other girls as well. And, yeah, it was very meant to be like hush, hush, down low. But the day before, you was in training, wouldn't you?

Yeah. And she texted me, like, a selfie. A picture on the dressing room. And was, like, saved you a spot or something like that. But it hadn't even been announced at the time. Okay. Yeah. So how did you feel then, Lauren?

when the rumours were that Lucy was coming. Obviously happy, but I was surprised because I'd never thought I'd seen a Chelsea shirt. I mean, I think as fan, we were all really surprised, but also extremely excited. And I guess what was your biggest motivation for wanting to come to Chelsea? What was the best team in England?

I think that was a big draw. And yeah, I spoke to Sonia briefly. at the end of last season. And she was like, yeah, come to Chelsea, come and play for me. And I think playing for a manager that once is so important. We all like to be loved. So I think that was, yeah, a big point. Wanting to come back to England, want to be around more,

my England teammates. Playing for England is super important to me. And then, yeah, it just made sense. Coming to Chelsea, it was the best team in England. Winners, we haven't won the Champions League, but I think it's a team that's capable of doing that. And LJ is on the team That's a big draw

That's a big draw That's a big draw Do you still have to room together You know when you go No no no Okay Would you pick You wouldn't pick me anywhere

No I got too much energy for LJ We like opposites That's why we get along Yeah she's the young one But she's like the chill one And I'm the older one But I'm the one full of energy

And like She's like About time she says Calm down Lucy Do you? That's the thing I hear the most. Calm down. Calm down. I'm like, okay. That brings me nicely onto your love of dogs. And I was going to say, if you had to describe Lucy as a dog, which dog would she be? I'd say cockapoo, because I've got cockapoo and he's energetic.

They're nice dogs. They are. People please us and they are. But what would LJ be? LJ would be. He's a chilled. dog. Yeah, what's like the most chilled dog, I can think of. British bull dog. Yeah. That's what you want to be. That's what you want to be.

We'll go to that. They are very chilled. You're both dog mums and both of your dogs have Instagrams. Mm-hmm. Are you ever competitive with your dog's Instagrams? You're like, well, we got more likes than you on this picture. No, no. My dog's a little bit older, so being gone for time.

They have met each other, though. Have they? Yeah. What was that meeting like? Well, Waffle was like tiny, won't it? Yeah, like it was the first... Literally like the first walk you went on. Yeah, within the first month.

Then bumped into Lucy on Isha High Street. Right, for those who don't know, what dogs have you got and what are their names? I have at West Highland Terrier called Nala. Nala. She's full of energy as well. Like a rona. Yes. Mine's called Waffle and he's a cockapoo.

Oh, so you've got... You've got a very energy. You've got Lucy and a dog. Yeah. I don't want to have it home. I wish Lucy was here more often. So she got a dog that she could feel like Lucy was around her every day. He goes to daycare, so when I get him, she's nice and chilled, yeah.

That is, that is the way forward. Because I think dogs, I love dogs, but they are such hard work if you're working all day. Because they come home and they're like, I'm ready for you. And you're like, I am so tired. No, I come home. I'm like, I'm ready for you too. And Lucy, I saw that you took Nala to Barcelona with you when you moved. Yeah.

What was that like and did Nala prefer Barcelona? I think so, yeah. She doesn't like the rain. It doesn't rain too much down south to be better. Okay. Because she lived in Manchester previously, but she's a sunbever, that's for sure. Have either of you ever got little booties or coats for your dogs? Got a rain jacket.

He's got a whole wardrobe, isn't he? He's got a head? He's a lot. Yeah. And have you got any matching outfits with Waffle? No. That could be next. You could.

You could get a matching outfit with Waffle. That's next on the list. I know. I'm surprised dogs don't wear shoes. Yeah, but every time. Some of them do. Yeah, and they like this. Yeah.

Some of them do. I've seen like, you know, similar to what you guys are wearing. They're similar to what you guys are wearing, but I feel like they're like a duvet shoe. Do you know what I mean? And you strap them onto the poor. I've definitely seen it for like Scandinavian countries

where it's really icy yeah I want to see Waffle in full like shoes Woffel have like You wouldn't be moving No you'd have like some Nike's on some

We're going to play a little game And because you're both dog people I don't want you to butcher me These are just what I found on the internet Right so I want you I'm going to give you the name of a dog And I want you to say Which Chelsea teammate

Would be that dog and I'm going to give you the traits. Don't come at me and be like, that dog's not like that. I just found it on the internet. Just roll over it. Yes. So golden retriever, they are positive.

They are devoted and they are great with people. Who is the golden retriever of the Chelsea squad? Lucy. I don't say Micah. True. You're both great with people. So you or Micah. Collie, they are quick learners.

They love to train. athletic and very active. Is that me again? Yeah. I think the gold retrievers biker and I could probably take that one. I could probably take that one. German Shepherd,

highly intelligent and confident. Z? I was about to say Z. Z? Yeah. I was thinking Zee. Yeah. Beagles Love to be in a pack but get distracted easily.

Aggie. Oh, yeah. Yeah, that's really good Because I feel like she's very She's like, yeah Yeah, I can Yeah Yeah, that one, yeah

Cocker Spaniels Great hair Sweet Friendly But they need walks Because they need to get their energy out A great hair Nice

Well, I've got the part on New Skin energy out I'd say yo-yo I should not have great hair I feel like like when she hasn't done much she's like I need to do something. Yeah, that's true. Okay.

Her hair's all right as well. Yeah. I feel like the hair is what stuck you got with. You're best like hair. Hair, who's got a lovely hair? Okay. And in what way do you mean she needs to get her energy out? Is this before training? No, after training. If she feels like she hasn't worked hard enough or we haven't done enough as a team, she's like get a bit angry, doesn't she?

Need to do more. And goes and does something. done anything. Go ahead and do some pull-ups or something. I really? Just try to teach yourself, you know, muscle ups. Yeah. Can I have one of these? I'm like, why?

Just because. And bulldogs. Who would be calm, loves to sleep and a steady pet? To be fair, you and Keish could fight that. Yeah, true. You could fight for that. Loves to sleep. I'd give that to Kish.

She sleeps anywhere. Does she? Yeah. Ash, Ash is asleep now? Yeah. Is she? Yeah, she's asleep now. She just went on her sofa and fell asleep whilst everyone's around her.

No. But Keisha's good at, like... I can't just nap anywhere. Whereas Keish and Ash, they can. Yeah. Do you need like a whole ritual before you go to sleep? No, it just has to be night time. I've got friends.

The sun's gone down. Yeah. Right. Are they, what kind of sleepers are they? Are they droolers? Gies just doesn't move, does she? She'd just be like... Yeah

And then you get up and she'll just go out She won't even shake or she? No Up and up I feel like ashes like that as well Yeah Really? I don't even know how that's like

Sleep I don't know how you just close your eyes And you're all of a sudden asleep Yeah So could you sleep on a flight? I knew how it was Absolutely nasty Yeah

Really? Yeah So what's your flight go to Do you play games, do you watch movies? Sit there thinking sit there thinking she has a lot of thoughts that just go through her head all the time

that is so deep and there'll be a silence and then she'll just turn around and be like have you ever wondered why the stars are like that and I'm like what we're not even talking about that

and then 10 minutes later she'd be like isn't that weird that those doors are the same colour it's just random comments I just point out random things. Yeah.

Like she just says things that are just there. And I'm like, why even think? Like, we was on the way to a game in the World Cup and she said something about doors outside. We were on the bus and she was like, look, have you seen that all them doors are the same size or something? And I was like, what? We're literally on the way to like a World Cup game.

What are you talking about? What? Sorry, what doors? It was at all shops or something. It was something, I remember. And you was like, you could stop laughing because of how random it is. So you just say what you see? Yeah.

You say what you see. You'd be good on catchphrase. Yeah. Say what you see. I love that. And the last dog would be a chihuahua. Who is sassy and likes to be in charge, but also hates cold weather. Do you know what, Ashley?

Ash is very sass. We call her sassy ash. Oh, my least. Yeah Sassy. My lease is a good one My lease Yeah

How is my lease Sussie? She just gives you like the attitude doesn't it like Sassy vibes Yeah Every time I talk

Like my lease I'm like this Yeah I was gonna say You straight away You didn't it What does that? And Ash does that I always do that

Tash Because she always like Flicks her hair And she's like And they both Hate the cold Yeah Oh

Okay We've got a couple Ofes in there Yeah Is there anyone one else in the team that you think would make a good dog that I haven't mentioned here. C-O.

Yeah? What a dog would you want for? I don't know. She would just like, I feel like she'd be like a very like obedient dog with like a lot of energy. Yeah, loyal, yeah. Yeah, I'd see that.

It's the German in her. What is, what's a loyal dog? An Akita, although they can be aggressive, but they're very loyal. Akita's, do you know what? Yeah, they're like, they're kind of wolfy looking. Yeah, she could have that Yeah, she could, couldn't she?

And I feel like she's from a coldish country I've got some fan questions for you guys There were so many so we had to cut some of them down Lucy, how many languages do you speak and I'm going to put you a little bit on the spot I want you to say, come on you blues in as many different languages as you can.

Come on you blues. Come on you blues. That's English. Um Vamos Los Azules Spanish Somi

Umi Umi Los Blouse That's Catalan I think that's kind of Almost right Uh Alesie Le Bleu

That's French What's blue in German Oh I'm English English I know I'll get That's let's

Off gets Mines Shafton Let's go Let's go team I don't speak German and I don't speak Catalan I just know random words in some languages Okay

But languages are a thing for you I don't know I just like I guess it's I like Talking to the different girls on the team And their language If I can

I wouldn't say like it's perfect Like my Spanish is quite good My French is all right But yeah Like Orion likes laughing at me When I speak French to her Because I just say like Silly slang words

and stuff and she's just like you're so crazy in French that's all the time Lauren's like and in English I really speak English and we did

learn Spanish together at the World Cup yeah did you we did like colours and then we just stopped and Eljia was like

no had enough no no your brain's like no for most country speak English anyway they do

they do so you're very lucky with that and you are are you half Portuguese yeah My dad's Portuguese. And did he teach you Portuguese?

He did when we were younger. And then we didn't speak it at school and stuff. So then we just stopped speaking it. My dad started speaking English to us because all our friends and stuff would be at the house. So I can pick it up a little bit. And sometimes I throw out a few sentences at Qatar. Because obviously she speaks Portuguese. This podcast is brought to you by Skoda,

the official car partner of Chelsea women and proud support. quarters of women's sport. It's football season. Time for afterwork training, muddy boots and early morning weekend games. Whether you're playing five-a-side after work, cheering the kids on from the sidelines on a Saturday morning, or gathering with your mates to watch the big leagues each weekend. Skoda's the perfect companion for your everyday adventures. Zip around town in the fully electric eniac or give the squad a lift home in the all-new seven-seater Kodiak. There's something in the range to suit teams of all shapes and sizes. Don't just take my word for it, though.

Search the SCODA range today to jump in and see for yourself. Lauren, who is the funniest player in the dressing room? Who always makes you laugh? She makes herself laugh. I'll see you. You're always doing something mad. On to the crash mat, like trying to do a roly-poly or something. That aims, please.

It's the golden retriever in my... You just randomly start pulling out roly-pollies? I just, I don't know, like, if someone else is doing something, I just want to join in. I mean, the image that you're setting off is Lauren just going, aren't the doors all the same? And Lucy's just going, roly-poly? Sounds about right?

Sounds about right. The inner workings of the gym. Yeah, sounds about right. That's how I'm imagining you guys, B-T-Sing behind the scenes. if you guys were to make up a goal celebration together what we've got one

what is it we've already got one where did it come from how did it come about I just started doing it one day yeah randomly and then I was like Lucy

one of our school we went out walking into the change room and then we've some reason someone was talking about something and Eljid did it and we both went wait So, okay, so that's now your, okay, brilliant, I love it, I look forward to seeing it. Now this question is more about the football.

A fan wants to know how special is it going to be to be playing the last game of the season in front of a home crowd at the bridge against Liverpool? Because obviously last season wasn't at home. I wasn't the last season. I know. But how special will it be? That was so special. Eldia likes.

You like Sanford Bridge didn't you a lot. Because you've, like, grown up. I do, and the atmosphere and everything. Yeah, you get, you go there a lot. I know people always talk about the fans and being an extra player, but how important are they when you're in a tough situation? Because some, I guess, some players will thrive more in a home game or an even in a way game. Yeah, I mean, I think we've got a team that thrives off of both.

Yeah. And I think as, like, an opposition. I think it's against us. A lot of teams find it hard to thrive in our home place because of the fans like cheering us on so much and stuff. I think it makes a difference. Yeah.

Like the atmosphere, the feel of the game. It just adds to it. And I think we've got so many players that it just brings out the best in them in the big moments especially. There's no better feeling like wanting to play for people who like love you so much. You just want to give it back.

And LJ, obviously you are so chill. through and through, what does it feel like when you walk out at Stamford Bridge? And you hear all the fans and you've got the atmosphere. One word, I'd say energy. Yeah? I'd just say, yeah, it just feels like it makes you want to play football. Yeah, okay. And does it feel different compared to Kings Meadow?

It must do. Yeah, Kings Meadow when it's like, there's always like a good atmosphere, I feel like. And I've obviously been there as like an away team and a home team as well. And it's something that you notice as an away team. I don't know something about it. It's dead close. And like I said, like the fans are like so loud and cheering.

So then Stamford Bridge packed out. And you guys winning last day of the season against Liverpool is that like, that's what gets you going. It's exciting. We know that the last game of the season is going to be at home. Yeah. And the sunshine and. that would be nice

It will be We will make sure it's there Yeah Yeah that would be so nice I think Stanford Bridge Fall at the end of season Hopefully we've Collected a few trophies on the way as well

So maybe we can Share that with the crowd And stuff as well So I think especially because last year I know the last game was it Old Trafford And it's still like a cool game And an amazing atmosphere

But I've seen the photos And celebrating with your way Fans is amazing but I think doing it at home is always that bit better, yeah. Weird. Magnific. Magnific. What is the biggest or the most important thing

you want to achieve at Chelsea this season? Win the Champions League? She's gone in straight. She's like, mic drop. Same. True. I think it's everyone's. Yeah.

I mean, for you, it would be back to back. Yeah. Back to back, back to back. Was that one of the main reasons for coming here? Yeah. I mean, and I've obviously won the Champions League, but I've never won it with an English team, and I think that's something that's important to me.

Like, growing the game in England, it was amazing with the lionesses winning the Euros, and you see what a difference it makes when a team from that place like win something major and being part of that in France and then in Spain, and seeing what a difference it makes to the club

and the atmosphere around it all is just amazing, and I'd just love to see that in England. Just bring the trophy to England. Like, yeah, it would be amazing. What is your favourite thing about each other? My third thing about Lauren is just how chills she is. I need it in my life sometimes. My favourite thing about Lucy is how open-minded you are.

Oh. You guys. So sweet. Yeah, little hearts. Love it. If you could take three teammates with you to a desert island, who would you take and why? I'm loving these fan questions, by the way.

I'd take my dogs. Yeah, I'll take a waffle. No, no. And Michael. Michael, yeah. Michael will be able to climb a tree or something. That's true. She'll have loads of energy.

So you're not taking any of your teammates except for Micah. and the two dogs. She would be happy with that as well. Yeah. To be honest. If you could play any other sport, what sport would it be and why?

Basketball. Basketball? Why would it be basketball? Did you play it growing up? I just like it. You just think it's cool, that's fine. And you know, they've got like the NBA films and stuff. She just wants to dress to the games.

She just wants to wear the outfits to the games. sit on the bench and just like watch everyone like I'm just chilling do you like watching basketball though hmm I just like watching them walking with the outfits I love that what sport would you play I played tennis when I was younger so maybe tennis would you like watching tennis yeah I do have you been to Wimbledon yeah have you been to Wimbledon yeah did you guys enjoy it it was interesting It was Wimbledon. Yeah, it is really, it is kind of stepping like into another little world for the day. When I went, I was just like, oh.

Yeah, I think that's the thing I didn't really like about tennis though, because I played, say, like, high level as well as football. And I gave up on tennis because I didn't enjoy the environment as much. Okay. You like the football. I think it was easy to be myself in football, yeah. Okay. And be a bit of a loose cannon.

A bit more accessible, maybe football, different personality. Yes. Who has, on the basketball and the dressing theme, who has the best style in the dressing room? You're going to say Keisha. Yeah? Kadisha, Buchanan. Whenever she comes into training, are you like, yeah, she looks good?

Yeah. If you were undecided about an outfit that you needed to wear to an event, you needed to ask a teammate for their advice, is that who you'd send a picture to? You would? Yeah. Would you? I think I'd ask the Swedish girl.

He does it vice versa. Yeah, I think they, because you have quite similar styles as well, to be sure. Okay. You like the same things. Yeah. Well, I like the way they both dress, but I feel like I couldn't pull it off. Oh, okay, I see what you mean. Yeah.

But I'm like, oh, they look cool, but I probably wouldn't look so cool. She's laughing because it's true. I remember he's asked the Swedes. Do you think she could pull off your look? No. I think so. Fear, the feel of them, yeah. We'll see.

Okay. If you had to eat one food for a whole week, breakfast, lunch and dinner, what food would you choose? So you eat the same breakfast, lunch and dinner? An omelette. And you're going to say it. I was going to say it.

I bet you say something for eggs. That is quite versatile. You could have it for breakfast and lunch and dinner. Yeah. Like fried eggs, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs. Yeah. And what would you have in it? Ham and spinach.

Was you going to say that? Do you always have? I have the ham and spinach omelet. In breakfast, I have the hamlet. And I eat the same things. What are the foods that you always eat? Well, that for breakfast, with a banana. Then lunch is usually either chicken, with potatoes, and the veg what's there.

And then if I eat chicken at lunch, then I'll eat salmon at dinner. And if I eat salmon at lunch, then I eat chicken at dinner. She's a simple girl. I love her. The simple things in life, isn't it? What about you? Lucy if you had to eat the same food for breakfast and dinner for a whole week what would it be something that you can't get sick of I guess like ice cream probably something that you can't get sick

on yeah ice cream ice cream something sweet yeah you got a massive sweet too yeah okay she always says don't ask Lucy if the dessert's nice because she she'll eat it anyway if girls would be like is the dessert nice should we get it and she's like don't ask Lucy, she should just eat it anyway. So it's an international break at the moment, and obviously it's a big year with the Euros this summer. Correct. England are the defending champions.

Lucy, does it make you feel any different? Being the defending champions. I think maybe the outside is different in terms of how people perceive us, I would say. But I think, like, yeah, the team's evolved so much since then. had a tournament in the World Cup, loads of different players, like Lauren's in the team now.

Yeah, so it's different, like, I think just as focused as before. And winning something once is amazing, but to stay at the top as, like, is the hardest thing and being able to win back-to-back tournaments in anything would be crazy, but doing it in, like, the Euros,

there's not many things you could do better than back-to-back, international tournaments and then Lauren obviously how excited are you for this year yeah very I mean it would be the first euros

the World Cup was my first major tournament and yeah doing it with people like Lucy who've played in many it should be good yeah what was the experience of doing your first major tournament like and was it what you expected it

to be it was very cool yeah I mean we were so far away yeah I actually really liked it was on the other side of the world went to the beach every morning back in England didn't have a clue

what you was doing or the times like by the time you get up they're going to sleep it was just very peaceful in it and it was like right in front of a beach so I'd be up at like six walking down the beach whereas here I'm not getting

up at 6th walk anywhere I was about saying are you a morning person then okay you are in Australia yeah like a lot of people got up didn't there because we were literally on the beach so we all just walk to the beach in the mornings

and have like coffee or smoothies and stuff together I used to make LJ morning smoothies to take the train and yeah magic potions honestly all kinds was in it told you I like everything I was like here drinking

This is a good for you. It's got spinach and eggs in it. Got, yeah. Spinish eggs and ham. Oh, girls, thank you so much for sparing some time with me. We've loved having you on the podcast. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Thanks. Thank you for listening to We Are Chelsea, the official podcast of Chelsea Women, brought to you in association with Skoda, who are the official car partner of Chelsea women and their proud supporters of women's sport. A big thank you to everyone who sent in their questions, And remember, you too can send in your questions by emailing us at we are Chelsea at chelcfc.com. Or you can leave us a comment on our YouTube channel. We'll see you next time.