One of the brightest young talents in the game, Lauren Hemp shone in 2019/20.

Although still a teenager, the youngster played a pivotal role in City’s campaign, flying down the wing with her rapid pace and chipping in with several crucial goals.

While she had already helped the Club to trophy success in the memorable 2018/19 campaign, many believe this past season to have marked the forward’s true sky blue breakthrough.

With a string of impressive performances and key contributions, the 19-year-old has staked a real claim for the Player of the Season award, despite her tender age.

Learning from the mixture of youth and experience around her, many believe Hemp has now ‘come out of her shell’ both on and off the pitch and the 2018 PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year believes building close friendships has played a positive part in aiding her phenomenal development.

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In our latest Teammates feature, presented by QNET, the teenage sensation reveals her best friends in the squad and the importance of close bonds away from the pitch.

“I’d say mainly the young ones are my best friends,” she explained. “Jess Park, Emma Bissell and Tyler Toland

“I can’t pick between them because if they found out, they wouldn’t be best pleased!

“I get on really well with Gemma Bonner and Laura Coombs as well – and Esme Morgan of course, although she’s been on loan this season.

“We have the same laughs and we’re not serious when we’re around each other. I really like that.

“I roommate with Gemma Bonner. We get on really well.

“She’s really chilled and laid back and we have the same banter and routine. We like to have tea and biscuits the night before a game, although not too many biscuits!

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“We always have tea nights with Pauline Bremer and Karen Bardsley – and Esme previously – of an evening before a game.

“We’d have a nice cup of tea and a little chinwag!

“Sometimes, we go for coffee on our days off as well, doing different things together.

“I really like that we can have those relationships outside of football. Football and training is really serious so it’s important to have some time away from football.”

Part of a squad glittered with international stars, Hemp added she feels fortunate to be learning from some of the very best.

Now a senior England international herself, the youngster’s progression is set to kick up another notch, introduced to another level of talent, coaching and competition, playing alongside and against more of the world’s most talented stars.

The forward added she feels privileged to be exposed to such knowledge, especially so early in her career, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of her idols.

“When you’re with them every single day, you learn from them,” she continued.

“You see what they do to try and help prepare themselves for training, for example.

“I take it all in, although they might not know, so that in the future, when I’m older, I can help the young ones who are in my position now.”