PERNILLE HARDER hopes Lauren James’ talent abandons her as England take on Denmark.
The Danish legend also revealed the former Chelsea team-mates have not discussed this morning’s table-topping clash in Sydney.
Denmark star Pernille Harder lines up against her ex-Chelsea team-mate Lauren James today
But Harder hopes the England ace does not reproduce her Blues form for the Lionesses
James starts for England against Denmark after dropping to the bench for the Lionesses’ opener against Haiti
Harder, 30, left the Blues at the end of last season and signed a three-year deal with Georgia Stanway’s Bayern Munich.
Denmark needed an 89th minute Amalie Vangsgaard header to beat China 1-0 in Perth on Saturday and leapfrog the Lionesses into Group D’s top spot.
Their all-time top scorer Harder said: “England’s team is amazing.
“They have so many good players – some I enjoyed playing with at Chelsea.
“It will be super interesting to see Lauren James, she was so good last season and really showed her talent.
“She is very technical and it’s like she can do whatever she wants with the ball.
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“Hopefully she won’t be too good against us!
“We must have a good day to win and work hard in defence to prevent them creating chances.”
The 142-cap Denmark icon also played with England stars Jess Carter, Niamh Charles and stand-in skipper Millie Bright at Chelsea last season – Harder’s third campaign since the Blues paid a then-world record £300,000 to sign her from Wolfsburg in 2020.
But the 2018 Ballon d’Or runner-up said: “We didn’t talk much about the draw and haven’t about the game. We’re all preparing in our own bubbles.”
Saturday’s win was Denmark’s first at the World Cup since their last appearance at the tournament in 2007.
Boss Lars Sondegaard said after: “Our dressing room was electric and if they can play with that dynamic and power against England we are going to win.
“Confidence means a lot. We can be a bit more calm.”
Everton winger Nicoline Sorensen, 25, backed the Lionesses’ game-changing Euros winners to be stalwarts for the foreseeable future..
The 40-cap ace said: “England are really good. I admire Alessia Russo, Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp and Lauren James.
“They’ve really changed the game and that generation is going to be a big part of the Lionesses’ team for years to come.
“I love playing against them (in the WSL) and I learn a lot every time.”
Sorensen started her first ever World Cup game against China – just seven months after returning from a 14-month ACL injury lay-off.
She said: “It feels absolutely amazing and unreal. I am really proud of myself.”
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