Reece James’ importance to Chelsea can never be underestimated. Graham Potter’s side are a far poorer team in his absence, and his return to the line-up to take on Borussia Dortmund aided the Blues’ triumphant comeback.
However, it’s not just on the pitch where James has demonstrated his value at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old has become known for building relationships with both teammates and opposition players, becoming a popular figurehead for the Chelsea dressing room.
This was evidenced by the January loan capture of Joao Felix, who revealed in his first interview as a Chelsea player: "I met Reece James one time when I was in London at a restaurant. Amazing guy."