Emma Hayes reacts to Chelsea ace Lauren James unfollowing Lionesses team-mates after Women’s FA Cup semi-final
EMMA HAYES has not spoken to Lauren James since the Chelsea forward supposedly unfollowed two England team-mates on social media.
Hayes addressed a question regarding an incident that occurred during her team’s FA Cup semis loss to Manchester United.
On Sunday the Red Devils battled their way to the contest’s final for the second year in a row by beating Chelsea.
They clinched a hardfought 2-1 win against last year’s cup winners.
After the Manchester side took a 2-0 lead, James a pulled goal back against her old club moments before half-time.
The forward, who was eager to resume play as swiftly as possible, got into a tussle for the ball with United’s Millie Turner.
It resulted in the Chelsea ace, 22, appearing to put the centre-back in a headlock with the duo being separated minutes later.
Following Man Utd’s win Turner took to Instagram posting a few images from the match.
These included a picture of the incident alongside a caption which read ‘KAMMOONNNN’.
The image was also in featured in an Instagram story post shared by the player, which included the words ‘See you at Wembley my reds’.
A few of Turner’s Lionesses and Man Utd team-mates liked or shared remarks on Turner’s post which appeared to make light of that moment in the game.
And eagle-eyed fans following players’ Instagram accounts claimed James has unfollowed the defender as well her fellow England team-mates Ella Toone and Mary Earps.
Turner’s inclusion of the image of her and James vying for the ball prompted online debate between fans with some criticising the post.
Ahead of Chelsea’s WSL duel with Aston Villa, Hayes was asked for her thoughts with James having been a target online abuse on social media in the past.
The Blues chief, 47, whose side host Villa on Wednesday evening, said: “We don’t look at Instagram. She doesn’t have it, so I don’t know.
“I haven’t had the conversation about Instagram with her. We haven’t talked about it.”
A victory for Chelsea would see them returning to winning ways and go level on points with leaders Manchester City before their Saturday duel with Barcelona in the Champions League semis.
The team are targeting a double trophy win with five games left until the end of the Women’s Super League season.
Hayes added: “I want the players to enjoy themselves.
“I want them to play without feeling like they have a point to prove to anyone.
“I see them every day and what they do every day.
“I want them to remind our fans once again why they’re a fantastic group of people that try their very best in a Chelsea shirt to try and win games.”