Borussia Dortmund have Chelsea academy star Charlie Webster in their sights as they look to find the next Jadon Sancho.

The proposition of being fast-tracked into first-team football is appealing to English youngsters with Sancho’s success an example of how taking a risk can pay off.

Sportsmail takes a look at the 16-year-old midfielder’s style of play, how he’s risen through the ranks and why he is the latest young talent to be targeted by the Bundesliga side.

HOW GOOD IS HE?

Just to make you feel really old, born in 2004, the schoolboy has been included in the Blues U18s side several times this season after impressing in his own age group.

The youngster was the star in the Kevin de Bruyne U15’s Cup in Belgium last year where he picked up the player of the tournament award.

He’s made appearances in the Premier League Cup against Wolves and Stoke City as well as a league game against Southampton in February.

Webster has also been capped for England at U16 and U17 level and has also had the privilege of wearing the captain’s armband.

International goals came in a 3-3 draw with the Republic of Ireland and a 5-0 victory over Japan.

The midfielder is highly thought of at Stamford Bridge and is already exciting his coaches.

WHAT TYPE OF PLAYER IS HE?

Webster plays in the centre of midfield but enjoys getting forward and has been used in a more attacking role for his country.

The youngster is quick and powerful and a report from Germany picked him out as the best player of Chelsea’s defeat by Bayern Munich in the 2018 International Champions Cup Futures tournament.

The report said: ‘The Blues had somewhat of an energiser in Charles Webster. The No 8 roamed the midfield and attacking third, causing havoc for Bayern’s back line and goalkeeper.

‘In fact, with locks like David Luiz, Webster was a stride or two away from completing his best Mario Mandzukic impersonation. Mandzukic scored Croatia’s second goal in the FIFA World Cup final after intercepting French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’ failing nutmeg. Webster would get his goal just minutes later.

‘After a quick throw-in nearing the 17th minute, Webster anticipated a short cross from Jude Soonsup-Bell and beat the Bayern defender for a header and the ball flew into the net for an equalising goal.’

WHY COULD HE BE TEMPTED TO FOLLOW SANCHO TO GERMANY?

Chelsea have a history of making younger players wait for their chance in the first team, which is where Dortmund come in.

They snapped up a 17-year-old Sancho from Manchester City in the summer of 2017 and he has gone on to be a huge success in the Bundesliga.

He’s had three seasons of first-team football with the last two seeing him emerge as one of the most talented young players in Europe.

Playing regular football has propelled Sancho into the England senior team with him making his debut at the age of 18.

Dortmund have made themselves an attractive proposition for young players with 19-year-old Erling Haaland making the switch in January despite offers from other clubs.

It’s hard not to see the attraction of moving to the Bundesliga right now.

BUT FRANK LAMPARD HAS GIVEN YOUNG PLAYERS A CHANCE?

A valid argument. Since taking charge of Chelsea last summer Frank Lampard has put his trust in youth with Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Reece James and Fikayo Tomori all making the step-up after loan spells with Championship clubs.

The club’s transfer ban partly forced Frank Lampard’s hand with him unable to sign any players before the start of the season, although this is an argument the Chelsea boss refutes.

But free to spend money in the windows again, Lampard could bring in more talent to rival the current stars in the Blues midfield.

As well as the senior players like N’Golo Kante Jorignho, Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic there are youngsters like Mount and Billy Gilmour who have recently forced their way into the first team.

Webster can be encouraged by the clear pathway from the academy to the first-team that Lampard has presented, but there’s no guarantee that will continue indefinitely while Dortmund’s position is evident.

SOURCE:- allfootballapp