Joe Cole has gone against the grain in his verdict for the Young Player of the Season.
Most pundits and fans have gravitated towards Manchester City left-back Nico O’Reilly, who scored both goals in the 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat at Wembley and has been the consensus pick throughout the season.
Cole, however, has brought forward another pick.
Speaking on a TikTok challenge for TNT Sports, the former England midfielder instead picked a player who Arsenal fans already love.
“I would go Kroupi at Bournemouth. Goals, assists, just been a revelation. There’ll be big clubs sniffing round him,” Cole said.
Eli Junior Kroupi’s 13 Premier League goals set a new record for a teenager in their debut top-flight season, surpassing the marks previously set by Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane.
With incredible ball-striking technique, and versatile enough to play as a nine, ten or on the left, he has been a revelation this season.
Of course, Arsenal fans already have a special reason to appreciate Kroupi.
It was his equaliser against Man City at the Vitality Stadium that confirmed Arsenal as Premier League champions, endearing him to the north London faithful.
Arsenal face a fight to sign Eli Junior Kroupi this summer
People might disagree with Joe Cole’s pick, but he’s certainly right about big clubs sniffing around for Kroupi.
Arsenal are understood to be tracking the Frenchman this summer, but the Gunners won’t have it all their own way.
Chelsea have made clear they want to be kept informed on Kroupi’s situation, setting up a potential transfer battle between two London rivals.
But should Arsenal make a move, surely they’ll have the advantage from the player’s perspective.
When an Arsenal fan stopped Kroupi on the street and asked him to sign for the club, his beaming smile said everything.
