The 20-year-old opened his league account in our victory at Brighton, firing in an unstoppable strike from 25 yards that flew into the top corner to restore our advantage just moments after the Seagulls had equalised.

The quality of the strike drew praise from Frank Lampard, who said afterwards: ‘The goal did not surprise me. I know he can catch hold of shots and we try to get him in those positions to get shots away. It was so clean but I know he has that in him.’

It is not the young defender’s first eye-catching goal for the Blues; his two last season were both impressive efforts smashed in with that trusty right boot, against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup and then that memorable late leveller against Ajax in the Champions League.

James is up against Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal), Jack Harrison (Leeds United), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Matheus Pereira (West Brom), Marcus Rashford (Man United), Riyad Mahrez (Man City) and James Maddison (Leicester City) for the first goal award of 2020/21.

The last Chelsea player to pick up the award was Eden Hazard in April 2019 for his incredible solo strike against West Ham.

You can vote for Reece by clicking here. Voting closes on Monday 5 October and the winner will be announced four days later.