AC Milan star Rafael Leao labelled Reece James as the "toughest opponent" he has faced in his career following his side's 3-0 loss at Chelsea on Wednesday.
The Blues ran out comfortable winners at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Wesley Fofana, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and James, with Graham Potter recording his first home victory in charge. It was a dominant performance from Chelsea, who started the game on the front foot and continued with that intensity throughout the game as Potter's men climbed to second in their Champions League group.
But it was James who stole the show for the Blues as he was awarded with the Player of the Match for another impressive display. The 22-year-old also recorded an assist, crossing for Aubameyang to tap home from close-range. His goal was a thing of beauty with Sterling playing through James inside the right channel and the latter took his time before riffling the ball into the roof of the net.
James' performance caught the eye of his direct opponent, Leao, who was up against the England international on Milan's left-hand side but the forward didn't have much joy. Leao has been heavily-linked with a move to Chelsea, and has been watched on more than one occasion by Blues scouts.
He told somtosport: "James is a good player, he was all over me and everywhere at the same time, he timed his runs very fine. I hardly talk about opposing players but this guy is actually the toughest I have faced I think.
"He scored a goal too against us and that’s something you don’t get from every defender. We just have to focus and finish in a good position now because the competition was never expected to be easy. We slipped and we won’t let that hold us back, we will work harder for the next games."
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Meanwhile, Aubameyang, who benefited from James' creativity to score his second goal in a Chelsea shirt, believes that the defender is the "best in the world" right now. James is competing with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker for England's right-back berth ahead of the World Cup in November.
Aubameyang said: "For me he's the best in the world at the moment. I think he's doing an amazing job and you could see that today; a goal and an assist - I think he's on top form."
Chelsea boss Potter added: "For us, we love him. He's so important for us. My job is to help him reach his potential, and his potential is he can be a Chelsea legend with anybody. That is the level he has, the potential that he has.
"For that to happen, he has to be part of a successful team. That's what we're working towards."
