Kroupi’s talent has not been a secret – least of all to his former team-mates and coaches at boyhood club Lorient.
The youngest player to appear for the club in Ligue 1, Kroupi became the youngest scorer in Lorient’s top-flight history when he found the net against Nantes during the 2023-24 campaign, aged 17 years and 92 days.
After one particularly eye-catching display, former Chelsea midfielder and Lorient team-mate Tiemoue Bakayoko said of Kroupi: He’s a phenomenon. He reminds me a little of [Kylian] Mbappe in terms of the maturity in his game.”
There was certainly a hint of France and Real Madrid striker Mbappe in Kroupi’s goal against Wolves – the cushioned first touch, swiftly followed by the lethal second.
Only four players – Erling Haaland, Igor Thiago, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Semenyo – have found the net more often in the Premier League than Kroupi this term.
Given the number of scoring opportunities Bournemouth tend to create, there could well be more to come.
“I’ve been so impressed with him – not just today, but all season,” former Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given told BBC Final Score. “He looks like he’s been here all his life.”
Speaking to Match of the Day after the win at Molineux, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott said: “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 may not have been referring to the 19-year-old alone, with Alex Jimenez continuing to shine and Brazilian youngster Rayan delivering the assist for Scott on his full Bournemouth debut.
On Saturday, though, the headlines belonged to Kroupi.
