Vinicius vs James will be the centrepiece of Chelsea and Real Madrid's UCL tie

Down Chelsea's right and Real Madrid's left will be one tussle that could be central to who claims the place in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday.

Reece James up against Vinicius Jr. Two of the best rising stars in their respective positions in world football resuming battle.

They have crossed paths before in the Champions League, with Chelsea and Madrid meeting in each of the last three seasons.

Following the latest instalment, last week's quarter-final first leg, it is advantage Real Madrid and their brilliant Brazilian Vinicius.

Winger Vinicius, who has completed the most Champions League dribbles this season with 36, did indeed have some highlight reel moments against James but it was also an occasion when right-sided centre-back Wesley Fofana had an equally tricky evening trying to nullify the 22 year-old.

By his own admission and high standards, James feels he was not at his best in the Bernabeu, even one of Chelsea's most influential players not immune to being impacted by the team's collective troubles.

But Frank Lampard will need James, 23, on top form to help Chelsea contain Vinicius and the Madrid star already knows exactly what that looks like.

After they met in last season's last eight Vinicius is understood to have messaged James to let him know how highly he rated him, considering the Chelsea star the toughest right back he had faced.

The respect is mutual. James recently described 'Vini' as one of the most difficult wide man he had come up against alongside AC Milan's Rafael Leao.

Vinicius is not the only one at the Bernabeu who appreciates James and the qualities that make him one of the most complete occupiers of his position.

That sense is widespread at Madrid. When they began drawing up a list of potential long-term replacements for Dani Carvajal last year, James's name featured prominently.

The admiration for James at the Bernabeu is said to come from the very top - president Florentino Perez - down, with Vinícius's complimentary view of James shared by his manager Carlo Ancelotti and teammates.

Since then, though, James's importance to Chelsea has been underlined by the bumper contract offered him and that he signed in September which ties him to the club up until 2028.

He is loved and respected at Stamford Bridge by the hierarchy including co-controlling owner Todd Boehly, every manager he has worked with and his teammates.

As one of their own, James is integral to what Chelsea's new regime want to build.

Chelsea might need to raise money from player sales to balance the books amid potential FFP worries and their academy products have added value, sparking fresh talk in Spain about Madrid's liking for James on the eve of this tie, but it would not be hard to imagine the backlash if the idea of sacrificing him was considered.

A far more pressing and immediate concern is tonight and how Chelsea stop talisman Karim Benzema's main attacking sidekick Vinicius.

Ancelotti has been a key figure for Vinicius, placing more trust in him than previous manager Zinedine Zidane.

He has continued to shine while facing sickening racism in Spain and abuse for, among other things, daring to celebrate his own hard work and goals in standard Brazilian dancing style.

The dislike has not just come from opposing supporters but players too.

He has had to overcome adversity in the form of intense criticism about how he performed and the chances he missed. At times it has felt like it was fashionable to turn on Vinicius.

But now Vinicius, Madrid's Champions League match-winner against Liverpool last season, is one of their key players.

A future Ballon d'Or winner in their eyes and one of the players giving them hope that success can be sustained once those it has been built on in recent years such as Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos move on.

After he inspired Real Madrid to a first-leg comeback victory against Liverpool in the last round, Ancelotti said: 'Right now, I think he [Vinicius] is the most decisive player in the world.

'Everything he does is a dribble away from a defender, an assist or a goal, and he does it for the full 90 minutes. He just never stops.'

If they are to pull off a Champions League miracle, Chelsea, James and co will have to find the key to halting Vinicius.