Chelsea: Reece James' faultless individual highlights vs Real Madrid

Reece James deserves a Ballon d’Or nomination at the rate he’s going.

No, don’t worry, we’re not saying the Chelsea star should win the whole thing, but has there been a better right-back in the world this season than him?

Ok, sure, that’s a whole debate unto itself with Trent Alexander-Arnold also enjoying a fabulous campaign, but there can no longer be any denying James’ quality as a full-back at the very top of his game.

And that couldn’t possibly have been any clearer than when the 22-year-old dropped a stunning performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals this week.

All in all, the Blues could hold their head up high on a chaotic night at the Bernabeu where Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger and Timo Werner almost teed up a comeback for the ages.

And although goals from Rodrygo and Karim Benzema ensured that ultimately wasn’t the case, there was hardly a Chelsea player on the pitch that couldn’t feel proud about their display.

However, it was James and the back five that were particularly excellent on a night where the Champions League holders bowed out of the competition in a blaze of glory.

James more than held his own in the right centre-back slot, standing tall against the genius of Vinicius Junior and Benzema despite playing alongside an out-of-position Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Aside from proving himself as an excellent ball-playing defender for the umpteenth time, James also reiterated his status as the most defensively competent of England’s right-back riches.

The simple fact of the matter is that his Herculean performance in the Spanish capital was truly remarkable for a player who was plying his trade in the Championship with Wigan Athletic just three seasons ago.

And his individual