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Manchester City had success signing Rayan Cherki from Lyon last summer. Cherki arrived at City as one of the most tantalizing prospects to come out of France. This season, especially recently, Cherki has shown exactly why City were so keen to sign him last summer. Cherki has risen from a tantalizing prospect to a key component of Pep Guardiola’s side. While Rayan Cherki has impressed for Manchester City this season, another promising prospect from France has impressed for Bournemouth this season: Junior Kroupi. Kroupi has scored eleven goals in 31 appearances in all competitions for the Cherries. Now, a new report indicates that Kroupi’s impressive form for Andoni Iraola’s side has impressed City. Perhaps City could be set to move for another tantalizing French prospect this summer.
The impressive form of Junior Kroupi has caught the attention of Manchester City.
Sacha Tavolieri has reported for Sky Sports that the impressive play of Junior Kroupi for Bournemouth this season has impressed Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Furthermore, Tavolieri reports that Hugo Viana has recently met with the agent of Kroupi. As per Tavolieri’s report, City are yet to make contact with Bournemouth over a potential summer move for Kroupi. It is also reported that Bournemouth do not want to lose Kroupi this summer. They have also slapped an €80 million price tag on Kroupi as per Tavolieri’s report.
Sacha Tavolieri reports that Kroupi’s eye for goal, speed, exceptional technical ability, and his intelligence as a player have impressed Pep Guardiola. Lastly, Tavolieri reports that Manchester City’s interest in potentially signing Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth could be a story to monitor this summer.
Junior Kroupi fits the profile of a potential City signing and he has the game to slot into Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Any 19-year-old striker who scores eleven goals in the Premier League in his debut season is an impressive player. That is exactly what Junior Kroupi has done for Bournemouth this season. Those goal-scoring numbers are extremely impressive for a 19-year-old, but they only tell half the story of what makes Junior Kroupi such a tantalizing prospect.
Junior Kroupi is a polished finisher in front of goal for a player so young. That has stood out across this season in his appearances for Bournemouth. Also, Kroupi knows where to be in the opponent’s penalty area, that is a skill that will set him up for a prosperous career as a front man. It is also a facet of his play which will improve as he matures. Also, Kroupi can create chances for his teammates, which is an underrated aspect of his game.
Another aspect of Kroupi’s play that stands out is his pace. His acceleration is elite, and that’s an attribute that will serve him well throughout his career. Although he isn’t renowned for being an explosive dribbler, Kroupi does have this attribute in his locker. With his pace, ability to play in tight spaces, and dribbling ability, you do sense that Kroupi has another level or two to go to in his game if and when he dribbles more often and at defenders with regularity.
Also, Junior Kroupi has the ability and versatility to play multiple roles. He can play as a striker, on the left wing, or through the middle. Typically, he plays as a left-sided forward. This position was where Kroupi typically played with Lorient. For Bournemouth this season, he’s typically played up front and shone for Andoni Iraola’s side. This attribute, coupled with his talent and potential, makes Junior Kroupi almost the ideal attacking signing for Manchester City this summer.
Final thoughts.
Junior Kroupi’s impressive displays for Bournemouth this season have caught the eye of Manchester City. If a player such as Omar Marmoush were to depart City this summer, Kroupi would be nearly the ideal player to slot into the Marmoush role in Pep Guardiola’s squad. At 19, Junior Kroupi has already shown at Bournemouth how good a player he is. The young French striker has the potential to become a very special player, and it is easy to see why City are keeping an eye on his progress ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
