English Premier League: Lead-up to the Cherries vs the Cottagers
A New Key Asset for Bournemouth?
Much has been said about the Cherries' defensive strength despite a sweeping changes in their defensive unit, but it was an new forward who made the headlines in the match against the Whites.
Kroupi was acquired to provide depth for main attacker the Brazilian forward in the Cherries' frontline, and it was his late goal that earned the manager's team a vital draw on the road.
Eli Junior netted an impressive thirteen goals in as many games for Lorient last season, which assisted the side in achieving elevation back to the first division in France.
Transitioning from the France's second division to the EPL was always going to be a tough ask and, as predicted, the player has thus far been limited to an super-sub.
His appearance at the recent match was during the Bournemouth adopting a go-for-broke approach, but his coolness to rifle home during stoppage time could emerge as a key asset going forward.
A consistent goalscorer will score goals at every level and the attacker showed that with the way he found space and calmly finished under pressure – a major occasion for him.
Will Eli Junior earn a starting role following his impact on the weekend? Maybe. But it's clear, Andoni Iraola's side have uncovered one more component in the manager's smoothly running system.
