There have been no finer performers in a Chelsea shirt this season than Reece James.
The 22-year-old, who is often used as a right wing-back in Thomas Tuchel's three-at-the-back formation, has been in sensational form for the Blues this term - both in an attacking sense and while defending.
The almost two-month period that James was missing from the end of December until February 27, where he came on against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, his absence was clearly felt by Chelsea on the right-hand side.
James offers so much to Chelsea in an attacking sense. His delivery from the wing is usually perfect, the positions he takes up are intelligent and he is also a handy option in front of goal.
The England international scored a fine solo goal in Saturday's 4-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League. After being found in the box by Trevoh Chalobah, James pretended to shoot, got the ball back onto his left foot, before doing the same thing again - this time shifting it onto his right - and finished with a low and powerful strike into the far bottom corner.
It was an accomplished finish from someone who is improving vastly with each passing game. The England defender, at the young age of 22, already has the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup trophies to his name.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, who is notoriously brutal with his assessment of footballers, heaped praise on James back in November of last year and tipped the right-back to reach the very top.
"He’s such a powerful lad and you think, if he’s got half a brain, he’s got so much more potential," Keane said on ITV Sport in November. "He’s playing for a big club, challenging for trophies, playing in the Champions League, this kid can only get much better."
As James continues his development and endears himself even more to Chelsea supporters, he also carries on proving Keane right with his prediction.
Another man who knows just how important James is to Chelsea is manager Tuchel, who recently conceded how much he missed having the right wing-back to choose from as he was sidelined for almost two months.
"We missed him for such a long time that we almost got used to it. I think it was like nine weeks and we played something like 25 matches in that time," Tuchel said after Saturday's win over Burnley.
"We were constantly trying to find solutions and we did find solutions as a team, and we managed to win games and even trophies in this period.
"But once he is back and plays three times, and first time from the beginning, you see what we missed. Huge quality and it's very impressive how decisive he is in training and in the games.
"These positions are very important positions if you play with this structure and it's the same on the left side. So it puts things into perspective when you see what we missed and I am very happy that he came back like this."
