Updated: 29 Apr 2026 05:39 BST |
5 min read
Chelsea have been told to steal a march on Premier League rivals Manchester City and make the first move to sign highly-rated Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi.
Kroupi has established himself as one of the brightest young prospects in world football, scoring 11 goals in 31 appearances in what has been a remarkable debut season in English football.
After scoring in Bournemouth’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal earlier this month, the 19-year-old – who joined the Cherries from French side Lorient last summer – became the first teenager in over two decades to score 10 goals in their debut Premier League season.
And Kroupi followed up that incredible milestone by scoring in Bournemouth’s 2-2 draw with Leeds United last time out, with his finishing earning comparisons with former Tottenham Hotspur and England striker Jermain Defoe.
As Kroupi continues to find the back of the net on a regular basis in Bournemouth’s quest to achieve European football for next season, the France Under-21 international is believed to be attracting interest from Man City, according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
However, Chelsea have now been urged to move ahead of Pep Guardiola’s City in the race to sign Kroupi, with the Blues also being strongly linked with Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola, who will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
In an interview with Snabbare, via The Standard, former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda said of his compatriot: “Eli Junior Kroupi to Chelsea? He’s a very good talent.
“He did very well last season (at Lorient), one of the top players in France, and I’m very happy to see him doing well this season as well.”
However, while he is a huge admirer of Kroupi, Malouda admits the young forward might be better off avoiding a big-money move this summer as he looks to further enhance his burgeoning reputation.
Malouda, who made 229 appearances for Chelsea and won six trophies including the Champions League in 2012, added: “Again, I believe he (Kroupi) needs to confirm it for one more season, at least in the Premier League. They’re looking to get game time and the confidence that comes from that.
“He might not get it at a top club if he jumps too early. So, I think he came to the Premier League to develop himself, to challenge himself, and he needs to keep doing that.”
Kroupi will look to finish the season strongly as Bournemouth continue their push to achieve European football for the first time in the club’s history.
Iraola’s side, who are currently seventh and one place above Chelsea in the table, face Crystal Palace (home) and Fulham (away) in their next two league fixtures, before entertaining Kroupi’s reported suitors Man City at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, 17 May.
Analysis: Kroupi to become Bournemouth’s next major sale?
If there is one club you would back to suitably replace Kroupi in the event that he does leave at the end of the season, it would be Bournemouth.
The south coast club are currently in the mix to clinch European football for next season, and that is despite losing Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez in the summer, as well as Antoine Semenyo in January.
However, at just 19 years of age and already earning a vast amount of Premier League minutes, staying put at Bournemouth – especially if they achieve European football for next season – might be the best thing for Kroupi’s long-term development.
While Bournemouth will lose influential head coach Iraola in the summer, with Chelsea reportedly considering him as their next permanent manager, the Cherries have moved quickly to appoint Marco Rose as the Spaniard’s successor for the 2026-27 season.
And Kroupi could continue to flourish under German Rose, who has worked with promising young strikers in the past including current Manchester United ace Benjamin Sesko, whom he coached at Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.
Related stories:
Chelsea receive fresh Enzo Fernandez transfer hint
Ranking Chelsea’s 10 potential Liam Rosenior replacements
Chelsea Transfer News Today: Estevao exit threat as €120m offer prepared
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
•Google Play
•App Store
