Alex MacQuoid
Kroupi’s rise continues with another stunning strike
Eli Junior Kroupi is quickly becoming a household name at Bournemouth, following up recent goals with a thunderous strike in a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. The 19-year-old Frenchman’s fourth goal of the season lifted the Cherries up to second in the table, showcasing his growing influence in the Premier League.
Kroupi’s 30-yard piledriver against Forest highlighted his technical ability, but it’s his overall game that has caught the eye of pundits. Danny Murphy praised the young striker’s work ethic and positional awareness, stating,
“He’s an accomplished finisher already. He has just come in and it seems like he already knows what his role is in the team.”
A record-breaking journey
Kroupi’s rise to prominence is nothing new. The Lorient academy graduate broke records as a teenager, becoming the youngest-ever player and scorer for the Brittany outfit. His 23 goals in all competitions last term played a key role in firing the club back into Ligue 1.
Now at Bournemouth, Kroupi has seized his opportunity with both hands. A calf injury to Evanilson and Enes Unal‘s long-term absence have presented Kroupi with valuable game time, which he has utilized to impressive effect.
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Manager Iraola praises Kroupi’s finishing
Andoni Iraola has been quick to highlight Kroupi’s strengths, noting his clinical finishing and ability to sniff out opportunities.
“Junior is a finisher. His strength is that he smells the opportunities. His finishing is very good with his right foot and left foot.”
Iraola acknowledged that Kroupi still has areas to improve, but his contributions in front of goal have been invaluable for the Cherries.
Bournemouth’s impressive start
Bournemouth’s tally of 18 points after nine games is their most at this stage of a top-flight season, surpassing their previous best under Eddie Howe in 2018-19. Their eight-game unbeaten run is the longest in the Premier League, with only Newcastle and Arsenal keeping more clean sheets.
Murphy lauded the Cherries’ energetic style of play, stating,
“They are just a delight to watch because they are so energetic. They defend in numbers in games when they have to, but they don’t park the bus – generally their attitude is to go and win games.”
Looking ahead
Despite their impressive start, Iraola remains cautious about the challenges ahead.
“It’s just a start. This season, the differences between teams are so small. We now have [Manchester] City away and [Aston] Villa away before the [international] break, so it’s going to be difficult to earn more points.”
Owner Bill Foley was in attendance on Sunday, reportedly before talks with Iraola about extending the Spaniard’s contract. However, Iraola is focused on the present, stating,
“We have a really good relationship. There’s going to be time to talk, but this is just the start of the season.”