Lauren James holds the key to England's Euro 2025 hopes - Sarina Wiegman must use Lionesses star in right way against Netherlands

England were poor against France, and yet it was hard to criticise James much for her performance. With only 30 minutes under her belt since her hamstring issue, those in a sprightly substitute appearance against Jamaica, it was a slight surprise to see the 23-year-old in the starting XI - but she looked sharp, fit and provided most of the Lionesses' best moments.

There were just 40 seconds on the clock when James picked up the ball in a dangerous area and fired a warning shot at the French goal, while her teasing cross a few minutes later should've been attacked better by a team-mate. Indeed, only Michelle Agyemang, a late impact sub, had more touches in the opposition's box for England, despite James going off on the hour. She found space well and always looked a threat when she got the ball in those pockets.

It must be said, though, that James' selection in the No.10 role raised eyebrows and was, in truth, a slight hindrance to the team in general. That's not because she didn't work hard or make her mark, but rather because her presence meant England only had two out-and-out midfielders in the middle of the park, with James certainly more of a forward.

As such, they struggled to win the midfield battle, with France dominating in a physical sense and also able to control play for the majority of the evening.

In England's familiar 4-3-3 shape, it makes much more sense for James to be utilised out wide. Wiegman has plenty of players who can play as a No.10 in this formation and bring some steel to the midfield at the same time, most notably Ella Toone and Grace Clinton, and James is by no means less effective as a winger.

She could be particularly dangerous on the right against the Netherlands, too, given Esmee Brugts, the young Barcelona star who plays at left-back for the Dutch, is a natural forward, rather than a defender.

If Wiegman did want to play James centrally, it might make more sense in a 3-5-2 set-up, which there are certainly arguments for her to return to. It's a formation that would mask England's left-back problem, offer Alessia Russo more support up front and bulk up the middle of the park enough to get James a free-roaming role.

That's how the Lionesses lined up at the World Cup two years ago, and it was central to both their run to the final and James' outstanding displays Down Under.

There is a question about James' fitness too, though. Saturday marked her first start in three months and just her second appearance in that same time period. While she looks sharp, she only came into Euro 2025 with 30 minutes of football under her belt. Wiegman has to be careful with her loading because the worst possible outcome would be to overuse the 23-year-old and aggravate an injury.

As such, she might not even be ready to start again on Wednesday. It might be that, in this game, James can be most effective as an electric substitute running at a tired defence, rather than a jaded starter who is withdrawn without having made an initial impact.

It's not going to be easy for England to get the result they need against the Netherlands on Wednesday. It took the Oranje some time to warm up against Wales, with a moment of magic from Vivianne Miedema necessary to break the deadlock after a rather frustrating 45 minutes. One would imagine, though, that the more open nature of the clash with the Lionesses will certainly suit the Dutch more, with the likes of Miedema, Danielle van de Donk, Jill Roord and Victoria Pelova sure to be afforded more space to thrive in, particularly with England needing to push forward and secure all three points.

That makes it even more important for Wiegman to get the formula right when it comes to unleashing James. Her impact needs to be maximised without it having any sort of negative effect on the team in general, as using her in that midfield on Saturday did, while taking into account what she is capable of at this moment after her recent injury.

This is a player who can change games in the blink of an eye, someone who can grab a match by the scruff of the neck and win it with a moment of magic. That's exactly what England need to see in order to avoid this European title defence ending in disaster.