Tottenham Hotspur are being urged to think carefully before splashing out a potential £85million-plus on Bournemouth teenager Eli Junior Kroupi this summer.
Former Tottenham and France forward Louis Saha has praised the young attacker’s qualities but warned Spurs he may not deliver the goals they desperately need.
Kroupi, who only turned 20 last month, scored 13 Premier League goals last season as a teenager, including one against Tottenham themselves.
The France U21 international has attracted interest from most of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, including champions Arsenal, as well as several of Europe’s top sides.
Bournemouth are currently placing a firm “not for sale” sign on their prized asset, making any deal exceptionally difficult to complete.
Tottenham have already spent £237million this summer and a major bid for Kroupi would represent another enormous financial commitment from the club.
Saha acknowledged Kroupi’s talent but raised serious doubts about whether the teenager could handle the physical demands of leading the line every week.
“Eli Kroupi Jr has had a phenomenal season for Bournemouth, so I’m not surprised there’s interest from Spurs in him. One of the great things about Kroupi Jr is that he scored 13 Premier League goals when rarely playing 90 minutes. That shows he has got quality, adaptation, and he can clearly impact a game from the bench,” Saha said in association with LiveFootballTickets.
“However, this is what worries me about him if Spurs spend big money on him this summer. You can’t question his talent, but at such a young age, is he going to be able to play every game next season, work hard and manage 90 minutes? That’s what you want from a new big-money striker that comes into the club,” Saha added.
The former Manchester United striker also noted that Kroupi’s minutes were carefully managed by Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola throughout last season, raising questions about his readiness for a step up.
“If he was that player, he’d have made the France squad for the World Cup this summer,” Saha said, pointing to Kroupi’s absence from the national squad as a significant indicator.
Despite his reservations about Kroupi, Saha was far more enthusiastic about Tottenham’s midfield business, with the club signing Sandro Tonali for £100million from Newcastle and Mateus Fernandes for £85million from West Ham.
“I think a midfield of Tonali, Fernandes and James Maddison will be fantastic next season, one of the best in the league,” said the Frenchman, speaking with considerable optimism about Roberto De Zerbi’s evolving squad.
Saha also highlighted the defensive additions of Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke as steps in the right direction for a side that struggled for consistency last season.
“With the money Spurs are spending this summer, the Champions League is exactly what they are aiming for and will be expecting of Roberto De Zerbi and his players,” Saha said, pointing to Tottenham’s clear ambitions.
“Spurs have the best infrastructure of any club in world football, and it looks like they are now intending on competing with the very best. They have signed some terrific players, and they will only play one game a week for the majority of next season. Therefore, I expect them to qualify for the Champions League easily next season,” he concluded.
