Rafael Leao flashes superstar potential but Reece James shines brightest as Chelsea overcome AC Milan

The England international had a statement performance on Wednesday night

LONDON -- Rafael Leao bounces, shading left then right, all false starts and bursts to nowhere. He knows that sooner or later he'll turn on the boosters. When he does there are few players on the pitch who are getting close to him. Perhaps only one.

Two years ago Leao was a precocious neophyte, entranced by the prospect of playing with the real Zlatan Ibrahimovic rather than the virtual superstar he had been admiring on his PlayStation. Tonight he rippled with an invigorating arrogance he could well have picked up from the great man.

His opponent for much of this game was Reece James, not one who finds himself coming second in duels more than once or twice. Still the Portuguese forward had plenty of weapons to test his defender: the height to win aerials, the burst to take him down the flank and the quick feet to edge through. Of course, James was not easily beaten all that often and anyway, he would get the last laugh.