Tuchel’s decision to James at centre back caught everyone on the hop and he was brilliant

Thomas Tuchel’s decision to deploy Reece James at centre back caught everyone on the hop and he was brilliant in nullifying the danger of Jamie Vardy…. the Chelsea defender didn’t deserve his fatal aberration for Leicester’s winner

It was all going so swimmingly for Reece James, but then he tried to rattle a pass into midfield midway through the second half.

He may find himself replaying the moment in his mind a few times over the next few days.

His attempted pass ricochetted of Ayoze Perez, into the path of Youri Tielemens and then – well – destiny kicked in.

James didn’t deserve the fate that befell him; playing in an unfamiliar role at right-sided centre back the 21-year-old was excellent.

He’ll come back from this, there’s no doubt about that. James is far too good and head strong to let the disappointment faze him to the point of constant distraction.

Yet, it should act as a cautionary tale. Football, when everything appears to be going to plan, has the knack of biting you in the backside. James learned the hard way against Leicester.

Because up until that moment, he was brilliant. Unfazed, unflustered, unreal.

James has played at centre-back before, but not since his days in Chelsea’s academy. He looked like a seasoned central defender for the most part.

So is there anything he can’t do? Full-back, wing-back, central midfielder and now centre-half.

No wonder Gareth Southgate likes what he sees, surely James will be included in the England manager’s European Championships squad – in spite of his ultimately fatal aberration.

As if the glare of a Wembley showpiece isn’t enough to occupy the mind of a young footballer; the added burden of playing in an unaccustomed position could leave players with far more experience buckling under the pressure.

No chance of that happening with this supremely talented young man.

Having Thiago Silva alongside him through certainly helped – but you get the impression the Blues academy graduate would have produced this eye-catching performance regardless of the Brazilian’s presence.

Quiet and unassuming, you could almost miss James in a crowded room. You couldn’t take your eyes off him yesterday.

Thomas Tuchel’s decision to deploy James, who usually plays at right-wing back, caught everyone at Wembley on the hop.

Chelsea’s head coach identified Jamie Vardy’s incisive runs as a threat and felt James’ athleticism would help nullify the danger.

The tactic worked a treat; wherever Vardy was – so was James.

When Vardy had his first sight of goal following a Leicester break down the right – there was James to throw down the shutters.

Does he have a long-term future at centre-back? Probably not. His delivery from wide is far too threatening and precise to be wasted.

But it certainly adds another string to James’ ever increasing bow.

Yet, with all that said, this won’t be an afternoon James will be in a hurry to remember.

On this evidence, however, he’ll have far more highs than lows.