EK
Eli Kroupi
Centre-Forward / France / AFC Bournemouth
65 OVR
Profile
Key strength: Link-up play
Target man
In an AFC Bournemouth side that has quietly transformed from plucky survivors to genuine top-half contenders—now sitting 6th in the Premier League and daring to dream of European football—20-year-old French striker Eli Kroupi has emerged as one of the season's most sensational investments. Signed from FC Lorient in February for a modest €15m, his market value has exploded to €70m, representing a staggering 367% return in under a year. Operating as the Cherries' target man, Kroupi has delivered 10 goals from 32 appearances—finding the net every 156 minutes—despite wearing the unassuming number 22. His 73-rated finishing and ice-cold composure in one-on-one situations have been decisive, while his intelligent link-up play creates space for creative teammates like Marcus Tavernier. Following a DDWWD run that signals genuine momentum, Kroupi has established himself as Bournemouth's attacking fulcrum with remarkable discipline (just one yellow card in 1,558 minutes). At only 20 years old, the French forward is delivering exactly what the south coast club gambled on: a generational striking talent whose value will only appreciate as stardom beckons.