Chelsea have been handed a potential opportunity to sign Borussia Dortmund youngster Mathis Albert after his first-team prospects became uncertain, with the Bundesliga club struggling to provide him with regular playing time.

According to a report by FootballTransfers on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, Chelsea and Manchester City previously indicated their willingness to pay up to €20 million for the 17-year-old in January, but Dortmund rejected approaches for the highly rated attacker.

Albert has attracted attention for his performances with the United States national team, having made his senior debut and briefly become the country's youngest-ever goalscorer. However, his progress at club level has been less impressive this season.

The teenager was promoted permanently to Dortmund's first team ahead of the current campaign, with the club expecting him to play a significant role.

He has struggled to secure minutes under manager Niko Kovac, whose tactical system does not naturally accommodate traditional wingers.

Albert has been compared to former Dortmund star Christian Pulisic because of his nationality and position. However, the youngster's limited involvement has raised questions about whether he can fulfil his potential at the German club.

Since playing the full 90 minutes against lower-league side HEBC Hamburg in the DFB-Pokal in September, Albert has managed only 20 minutes of senior football, with another appearance against Union Berlin providing little opportunity to establish himself.

He was subsequently sent to Dortmund's reserve team, featuring in the first half of a 2-0 victory over Bonner SC in the Regionalliga West.

Kovac has acknowledged the challenges facing his younger players, admitting that Dortmund may have relied too heavily on inexperienced options during parts of the season.

"I take full responsibility for that, we were a bit too young for the Champions League," he confessed, reflecting on the team's 1-0 Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt.

The Dortmund manager also explained that experienced players tend to receive preference when matches become difficult, leaving younger prospects with fewer opportunities.

"They need to remain patient, they need to make themselves available in training - and also through the U23s," he said.

Chelsea could monitor Albert's situation as they consider strengthening their attacking options. However, Dortmund's willingness to negotiate remains uncertain.