French youngster pours cold water on Ivory Coast chances
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 08.03.26. | 16:58
Even thou his father played for the Elephants, the young prospect wants to play for France
When Bournemouth sold their key players like Ilya Zabarnyi (PSG), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Dango Ouattara (Brentford), and Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) last season, many thought that the Cherries will fight relegation this year. Antoine Semenyo also went to Manchester City in the January transfer window, but by that time, Bournemouth already beat the odds are had another great season in the Premier League. One of the reasons for that is another great recruitment and among the newly acquired players is a future French gem Eli Junior Kroupi. A French international since the U16 level, he has yet to be called up to the senior squad and remains eligible to play for Ivory Coast, the country of his father, Eli Kroupi.
So far, only Lamine Yamal, Yan Diomande (Leipzig) and Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) have scored more goals in Europe than Kroupi, who has eight so far. We are talking about the players who are under 20 years old. So, such a prospect would surely do good for Ivory Coast, especially since the Elephants have an ‘advantage’ – Eli’s father, who played for this African powerhouse. But, the 19-year old forward just ‘poured cold water’ on such a prospect.
"I'm focused on the French national team. Representing the country where you were born can only be a bonus and a source of pride. I have a special feeling whenever I wear this jersey. I love wearing it. I am proud of my Portuguese and Ivorian origins, I will never forget where I come from" he stated in an interview with Telefoot.
And to make things worse, his father Zahi Verges Napoles "Eli" Kroupi already stated that he does not intend to pressure his son in any way. Just a few days ago, he confirmed that not only his son has a different career that his, but that he didn’t even stepped in when Kroupi decided to leave France and go to England.
"It's a delicate matter. I played for my country, Ivory Coast, with the Elephants. But that was in a different era. That's my story. For him, it's different. Even his choice to leave Lorient to go to England, that was his own decision, not mine. It's his story, it's his decision. I want to keep this role as a father. Junior is French. He doesn't know Ivory Coast. So these are very difficult decisions. I can't push him to choose Ivory Coast, harass him about it, and then if things go wrong, he'll blame me... I want to maintain my role as a father. And people need to understand that. He's my only son, I've raised him. Whether his choices are positive or negative, I support him" he explained to Sport News Africa recently.
FA CUP - ROUND OF 16
Friday
Wolverhampton - Liverpool 1-3 (0-0)
/Hwang 90+1 - Robertson 51, Salah 53, Jones 74/
Saturday
Mansfield - Arsenal 1-2 (0-1)
/Evans 50 - Madueke 41, Eze 66/
Wrexham - Chelsea 2-4 a.e.t. (1-1)
/Smith 18, Doyle 78 - Okonkwo 40 og, Acheapong 82, Garnacho 96, 120+5/
Newcastle - Manchester City 1-3 (1-1)
/Barnes 18 - Savinho 39, Marmoush 47,65/
Sunday
Fulham - Southampton 0-1 (0-0)
/Steward 90+4 (p)/
Port Vale - Sunderland - in progress
19.30: (1.45) Leeds (4.65) Norwich (6.50)
Monday
22.30: (2.95) West Ham (3.45) Brentford (2.35)
***odds are subject to change***