James impressed yet again in our last match, a 3-0 win away at Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday, and provided the assist for N’Golo Kante to score our second at the King Power Stadium.

That took the England international’s tally with Chelsea this season to four goals and five assists, as he continues to excel at both ends of the pitch on the right side of Tuchel’s preferred 3-4-3 system.

However, our head coach insists he is not interested in a debate around how James compares to other players in the same position elsewhere, and just wants him to continue being the best player that he can be.

‘Right now he plays as a wing-back and he does this on a very high level,’ said Tuchel.

‘For me, I see no reason now why we should get carried away and think about things like is he the best in the world, the best in England or the best in Europe. These things, they do not help us.

‘I am happy when he tries to be the best Reece James yesterday in training and, if he plays, tonight on the pitch.’

The German also issued a reminder that it is not just at wing-back that he views James as an important asset to his team, thanks to the versatility we have seen from him in the past and which remains an important quality for the future.

‘If he plays he needs to be the best version of himself, in any position. He can play in the back three, he can play as a wing-back, he played for England in a midfield position, he did for us when we played at Aston Villa last season.’

Due to the mature and assured performances the Academy graduate has produced ever since returning from his successful loan at Wigan Athletic in 2019, it is easy to forget that he remains relatively early in his professional career and is still a couple of weeks short of his 22nd birthday.

However, that fact isn’t lost on Tuchel, as it is James’ potential and what he could still produce as he continues to develop that seems to interest our head coach the most.

‘He is improving, he takes responsibility and it is needed. He is far from finished in his development, he is super young.

‘He has all the potential to be a big and important player for Chelsea and he’s on his way. No more and obviously no less. I feel him dedicated and hungry for more and this is what we want.’