Premier League: Build-up to Bournemouth v Fulham
An Emerging Secret Weapon for the Cherries?
A great deal has been said about Bournemouth's organized defense despite a significant reshuffle in their backline, but it was an offensive signing who made the headlines in the match against Leeds.
Eli Junior Kroupi was brought in to add cover for top scorer Evanilson in the team's attack, and it was his late strike that won Iraola's team a important result on the road.
The forward netted an impressive thirteen goals in an equal number of appearances for his former club last season, which contributed to the side on their way to elevation back to the first division in French football.
Transitioning from the French second tier to the English top flight was always likely to prove a difficult challenge and, as predicted, the player has so far been used only as an impact substitute.
His entry at the last game was during the Cherries adopting a go-for-broke strategy, but his coolness to slot home during stoppage time could become a important tool going forward.
A reliable finisher will score goals at every level and the attacker showed that with the way he positioned himself and neatly tucked away at the crucial moment – a pivotal occasion for him.
Will Eli Junior get more minutes following his impact on Saturday? Perhaps. But without a doubt, Andoni Iraola's side have uncovered one more component in the manager's smoothly running system.
