A Star is Born? Bournemouth's Youngster Eli Junior Kroupi is Drawing Kylian Mbappe Comparisons After a Stunning Goal!
Losing a key player like Antoine Semenyo is never easy for any team, and for Bournemouth, it was undoubtedly a significant setback. However, spectacular goals like the one delivered by Eli Junior Kroupi against Wolves on Saturday are certainly helping to ease the sting of the Ghanaian international's departure. It's moments like these that remind us of the exciting talent brewing in the Premier League!
Before Kroupi's magic, Andoni Iraola's squad hadn't managed a single shot on target against the league's bottom-placed team. But with just 12 minutes left in the first half, Kroupi, receiving a clever flick from Amine Adli at the edge of the Wolves' penalty area, showcased his brilliance. What followed was a thunderous, looping strike that left goalkeeper Jose Sa with no chance, finding the back of the net. This incredible goal stood as the potential match-winner until Alex Scott added a second in stoppage time, securing a vital win for Bournemouth.
This goal marked Kroupi's eighth league goal of the season, a remarkable achievement for a young player. For a brief moment, it even placed him level with Barcelona's rising star Lamine Yamal, who also scored his ninth goal of the campaign on Saturday.
But here's where it gets truly impressive: The last French player to score as many goals in an English top-flight season before turning 20 was none other than Arsenal legend Nicolas Anelka, who netted 13 times for Arsene Wenger's side in the 1998-99 season. Kroupi, who won't celebrate his 20th birthday until June, is now just two goals away from reaching double figures – a milestone achieved by only 10 teenagers in Premier League history. That's some elite company!
While he might be a different type of player to Semenyo, Kroupi's impact is undeniable. With eight goals coming from just 10 starts, he possesses the potential to become an equally significant star for Bournemouth. Manager Andoni Iraola certainly agrees, stating on BBC Match of the Day, "When you are 19 with eight goals, it is incredible because he doesn't start every game. He gives us quality on the ball, which is always important. We can put him in that position around the box - he can score goals. He also gives us work-rate, so we keep him on the pitch."
Kroupi's talent hasn't been a well-kept secret, especially among his former teammates and coaches at his boyhood club, Lorient. He holds the record for being the youngest player to ever appear for Lorient in Ligue 1 and also became their youngest top-flight scorer during the 2023-24 campaign at the tender age of 17 years and 92 days.
And this is the part most people miss... After one particularly dazzling performance for Lorient, former Chelsea midfielder and Kroupi's teammate, Tiemoue Bakayoko, was quoted as saying, "He's a phenomenon. He reminds me a little of [Kylian] Mbappe in terms of the maturity in his game." That's high praise indeed!
There was indeed a whisper of that Mbappe magic in Kroupi's goal against Wolves – the composed first touch, followed by a decisive and lethal finish. It's a sign of a player with exceptional composure and skill.
Looking at the numbers, Kroupi is already among the top scorers in the Premier League this season, with only four players – Erling Haaland, Igor Thiago, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Semenyo himself – having scored more. Given Bournemouth's attacking style, it's highly probable that Kroupi will continue to add to his tally.
Former Manchester City, Newcastle, and Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, speaking on BBC Final Score, expressed his admiration: "I've been so impressed with him - not just today, but all season. He looks like he's been here all his life."
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott echoed this sentiment after the match, telling Match of the Day, "We've seen what Kroupi has done today. We've got some incredible footballers here. We've got some young lads who are almost superstars." Scott might have been referring to more than just Kroupi, with Alex Jimenez also impressing and young Brazilian Rayan providing the assist for Scott's debut goal.
However, on Saturday, the spotlight undeniably belonged to Kroupi. He has been a revelation as a pure striker this season, netting twice in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace and once in a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
While Bournemouth striker Evanilson has been sidelined with a calf injury, he has also been in fine form, scoring three goals in his last five league appearances. This presents manager Iraola with some delightful selection dilemmas as he aims to integrate new signings and nurture his promising young talent.
Iraola is exploring ways to best utilize both Kroupi and Evanilson, stating to Sky Sports, "We're trying to find a way of playing with two number nines. In possession, we are more of a threat if we can put Junior and Evanilson around the box." He acknowledges that with such young players, mistakes are inevitable, but their competitive spirit and performances are commendable. "But they are competing really well every game they play. They are giving us really good performances and I hope we can help them evolve."
What do you think? Are these Mbappe comparisons fair, or is Kroupi destined to forge his own unique path to stardom? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
