Zinédine Zidane is preparing to open a new chapter in the history of the France team. After fourteen years under Didier Deschamps, the former Real Madrid coach must be officially presented as coach of the Blues this Tuesday. With him, several changes are expected, both in the game and in the player choices.
Among the first potential new faces, one name keeps coming up: that of Eli Junior Kroupi. Author of a remarkable first season in the Premier League with Bournemouth (13 goals), the 20-year-old striker is so impressive that he is already knocking on the door of the Blues.
In theAfter Foot on RMCElton Mokolo believes that the young Frenchman could be the first surprise of the Zidane era. “The first surprise for Zidane’s first rally in the French team? In terms of desire, I spontaneously say Eli Junior Kroupi in relation to what he was able to do at Bournemouth. In the French team and in the offensive sector that you can expand, you can see Eli Kroupi over a cycle of four Nations League matches”he explained.
Zidane ready to launch Kroupi?
Revelation of the last season in the Premier League, Eli Junior Kroupi is already attracting the attention of several major European clubs, including PSG. Bournemouth, for its part, intends to keep its jewel, under contract until 2030. It remains to be seen whether Zinédine Zidane will decide to offer him his first selection in the next rallies, as France prepares to launch its Nations League campaign.
Before definitively choosing the Blues, Eli Junior Kroupi had several options. Son of former Ivory Coast international Eli Kroupi, he was eligible for Ivory Coast. Thanks to his mother, he could also represent Portugal. Roberto Martinez had also admitted, last May, to having made contact with the young attacker. Despite these requests, the player has decided: his international future will be written with the French team. The Zinédine Zidane era could now offer him the opportunity to take the final step.
