England star Lauren James credited Emma Hayes with "getting the best" out of her ahead of the Chelsea boss's impending departure from the club.
Hayes, 47, will leave Chelsea after the culmination of the Women's Super League, pulling the curtain down on a glittering 12-year tenure in west London during which Hayes has cut Chelsea into one of women's football's greatest juggernauts.
During Hayes' tenure, Chelsea have claimed 15 trophies and are on track to claim a record fifth WSL title on the bounce if they defeat Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in their final two matches of the season.
Hayes' historic title challenge has greatly benefited from James' scintillating recent form, in which the 22-year-old has scored 13 goals in 15 league appearances and set alight much of the domestic game.
James' calibre is no secret and regularly sends social media into fawning spirals. A recent foot injury has seen James shoved to the sidelines after the forward attempted to play through the pain, adding another high-profile name to the growing infirmary list Chelsea are attempting to confront, including Sam Kerr.
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But James insists that Hayes' influence has been integral on her game and her breakout season regardless of the recent injury.
"I think it’s been one of my most achievable seasons so far," James told SkySports.
"I don’t know how it is on the outside, but within the environment, she’s a bit like a mum to me, someone I can say anything to but at the same time, she’ll be straight up with me.."
Emma Hayes and Lauren James (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)She added: "I think it’s nice to have that relationship with her because I think she’s got the best out of me. If you have someone that let’s you be you, obviously then you feel free and your freedom, your happiness, it let’s you do it all.”
Hayes has long been one of James' fiercest supporters, particularly in the face of controversy or tribulation. After James' red card at the summer's Women's World Cup, Hayes was one of the first pundits to vouch for the player's character while urging for patience and delicacy with such a young player. When racial abuse were aimed at James on social media, Hayes similarly used her platform to call out the attacks.
Asked what she believes the legacy of Hayes will be as she sets to depart a league that she has played a major part in elevating to elite status, James said simply: "She’ll just be a legend and a winner.”
James could play a role in ensuring that Hayes leaves England as a winner in her final season. While she is unlikely to feature against Tottenham, there is still hope she could be available for Hayes in Chelsea's final match against James' former club United on Saturday.
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