What’s On: League Cup Final Q&As With Lauren James & Ella Toone

As the Subway Women’s League Cup Final approaches this Mother’s Day, 15 March, we sit down with Chelsea’s Lauren James and Manchester United’s Ella Toone, two of football’s biggest stars. Beyond the pitch, where Chelsea’s flair meets United’s grit, we asked the pair how they’re gearing up for the game, and how we’ll find them winding down afterwards (of course, it’s all about the question of staying in versus going out for us). 

Lauren James Interview

C&TH’s Rebecca Cox: How are you feeling physically and mentally going into the final?

Lauren James: Confident. In both.

C&TH: Good! How does your preparation change for a match like a cup final?

James: I wouldn’t really say it changes. The only thing that changes is that it’s a different opposition. But the focus is still always the same, because all the games are important.

C&TH: What will your matchday breakfast be?

James: It depends. I’m not really superstitious. It’s whatever my mind wants that morning!

C&TH: What will give you the edge over Man United?

James: Making sure that we’re on it, we’re on our own game and we focus on ourselves. And I think if we do that, execute what we’re supposed to, then we’ve got a lot of talent, and I can’t see why [we won’t win].

C&TH: You’ve produced some massive moments in big games like this in the past. Is that something that is on your mind when you go into a cup final?

James: I usually just focus on the day, but I always want to have an impact and help the team. So yes, in bigger games like finals you kind of add that little pressure onto yourself, because there are the moments that you really want to shine in.

C&TH: Post-match, how do you like to unwind? Stay in or go out?

James: It depends! If I’ve had a worldie then I’d probably want to go out for food. But most of the time, once I reach home, I don’t want to go back out! I’m just drained. But yeah, I would say if I’m on high, then I’ll definitely want to go out with my friends for food.

C&TH: What is a perfect night in?

James: My friends usually come over and we always watch football. I don’t really watch telly. I’m not a movie or series person!

C&TH: More football?!

James: Yes.

C&TH: This year’s final falls on Mother’s Day. Does that add anything extra?

James: I think on the day, obviously, we’ll be focused, but then I think if someone scores, if I score, then maybe you dedicate it to your parent. But I think mums are great all year round! We’re celebrating them for one day, but they’re great every day.

C&TH: You’re absolutely right! Our magazine’s tagline is ‘a life in balance’. How do you keep a bit of balance in your life?

James: Making sure I’m having a laugh with my friends and being silly. The schedule is hectic and busy and sometimes when you’re just tunnel vision all the time, you can forget about yourself. Away from the pitch, if you’re happy then you take it onto the pitch and it helps a lot.

Lauren James (c) WSL Football

C&TH: Do you try and get any separation from football?

James: No, I’m actually like obsessed. My friends will come over and we’ll just talk like all the time.

C&TH: Football, football, football.

James: Yeah, we mostly talk about the men’s game because I don’t like speaking about my colleagues or players I play against, because everyone’s just trying to do their thing.

C&TH: Do you cross over with the men’s team much?

James: When it’s a midweek game at Stamford Bridge, I’ll try to go as much as I can. And vice versa, if my brother can make my games, then he’ll come.

C&TH: How important will the fans be on final day?

James: Massive, because it’s like you’re playing with an extra player when you have that support. In moments of the game, when the momentum is not with us and it will be with the other team, as long as we’ve got the support from the fans, it helps us.

C&TH: How has the support for the women’s game changed since you started playing?

James: When I first started playing professionally only selective games would be on TV now and again. Now, to see it on every week, you can access it. It’s grown a lot, and there’s still more to do, to fill stadiums.

C&TH: Do you think you’ll be playing at Stamford Bridge a little bit more in the future?

James: Yes, hopefully. Hopefully our fan base can continue to come down to support us and it continues growing.

C&TH: Could you pick out one career highlight for us?

James: Probably my first World Cup goal because it was my first one, it was my first major tournament and the crowd went wild when it went in.

C&TH: And what’s the next career goal?

James: Hopefully the Champions League.

Ella Toone (c) WSL Football

Ella Toone Interview

C&TH: How are you feeling ahead of the final? Can the big day nerves ease with each big occasion like this?

Ella Toone: It’s exciting for us to go into another final. We’ve been in finals quite a few times now in the time that I’ve been at the club and won an FA Cup and the feeling of winning is the best feeling in the world. So I know that the girls will go out there and give absolutely everything to win that final and make history for our club.

C&TH: How did your preparation for a cup final differ from the league fixture? Is there anything you change in the days leading up to a game like this?

Toone: No, I think as footballers you make sure that you do everything the same no matter what game you’re playing in, whether it’s a friendly, a final, just another league game. Every single game you’re playing is really important and you have to feel the same way, you’ve got to prepare the same way so that you can give your absolute everything when you step out onto the pitch. I tend to do the same things. 

C&TH: As a longest serving Man United player do you have a special role to play on Cup final day?

Toone: I think my role might be a little bit different this time round depending on my injury as sadly I’m not sure how much I can be a part of it. So maybe my role now is to make sure that the girls are best prepared. To use my experience of playing in finals and share it with them, to support them when they’re out there and to also be a fan. I’m still hoping that I can play a little bit of a part in it, but if not, I’ll make sure that I do my role as best as I can to be a good teammate.

C&TH: Against Chelsea, what do you think United will need to have the edge?

Toone: We know how good Chelsea are. We know they’re a team that knows how to win and have got what it takes to win. They’ve got unbelievable players, but we’ve got that togetherness that not many people have in squads, in teams throughout the league. We’ve got that togetherness, we’ve got that fight and we’ll go out onto the pitch and do absolutely everything for each other. If we can all step out onto the pitch and give absolutely everything and work for each other, then we’ll do well.

C&TH: You’ve produced some spectacular goals in big finals in the past. Does that add or reduce pressure going into this fixture?

Toone: I have scored a couple of good goals in finals before, but I never put any pressure on myself to do that. I know that if I prepare well and an opportunity comes, I’m confident that I’ll take it. I try not to put pressure on myself and I know people like to say, ‘Oh, Tooney’s made for big moments and big finals’, but I tend to just go out there and try and enjoy every minute of it because in football you don’t really get to experience a lot of finals and win a lot of things; there’re a lot more lows than highs. 

C&TH: Do you have any match day rituals or routines for the morning of the big game?

Toone: I usually eat the same pre-match before a game. I like to have a bagel, eggs, beans, orange juice, avocado, usually the same things. But no, I’ve tried to become a lot less superstitious as I’ve gotten older because they were stressing me out. I know that Millie always puts my GPS in my sports bra and she’s done that ever since we’ve started at United, so that’s a nice one. But I’ve tried to come away from all the superstitions and just be normal.

C&TH: How do you unwind after a big match day? Stay in or go out?

Toone: If I’m tired, I just like to chill, but I do like a night out every now and again. Just to switch off from a game you’ve prepared so hard for. You give absolutely everything on the pitch and then it’s your time to just be normal and enjoy life. 

C&TH: What does a life in balance look like for you?

Toone: It’s hard to balance normal life and football life. I think I’ve been doing it long enough now to know what I need and how to switch off away from the pitch. I used to find that really difficult because I’m always thinking about football. I’m always wanting to play. I’m always wanting to be on the pitch. But as I’ve got older, I’ve realised you’ve got to take time for yourself and make sure that you’re physically and mentally ready to go again and again and again. When I’m away from football, I love spending time with my family, my friends, shopping, and eating out.

Ella Toone (c) WSL Football

C&TH: The game is on Mother’s Day. Do you hope that a lot of mums will be watching the Women’s League Cup final as part of this year’s celebrations?

Toone: I know my mum definitely will be! She loves football, she loves watching. And even when I’ve not been playing, she’s still going to the games and stuff. So, hopefully the mums can fit that into their day. Hopefully someone’s made them breakfast in bed in the morning and then they can watch our game after that!

C&TH: How important are the fans on days like the League Cup final?

Toone: Massively important! They’re important in every game that we play, but in those finals when times get a little bit tough, you need them as your 12th man, you need them to get you over the line, to stay positive, to encourage, to sing the chants that they have for us. It’s nice to always celebrate with them as well and I know that the FA Cup was massive for us as players and them as fans and the way we connected after that and enjoyed that special moment together and hopefully, we can create another moment like that with a League Cup Final win.

C&TH: Can you share a career highlight and the next goal you’re aiming for?

Toone: I’ve got a few career highlights, the ones that stand out are the Euros wins, the FA Cup win, making my England debut, signing for Manchester United and probably the hattrick at the Etihad. So many special memories in my career so far and I think for me it’s kicking on, pushing harder, being consistent in performances, scoring more goals and assists to help the team and hopefully win another trophy on the 15 March.

Where Can You Watch The Women’s League Cup Final?

Country & Townhouse talked to Ella Toone and Lauren James ahead of the Subway League Cup Final on March 15 between Chelsea and Manchester United, which fans can watch on the BBC and Sky Sports.