Tottenham Hotspur are among the Premier League clubs that have an interest in the talented young Bournemouth attacker
Spending mega money on Eli Junior Kroupi will not provide Tottenham with a ready-made striker, believes ex-Tottenham and France forward Louis Saha.
The France U21 international scored 13 goals in the Premier League last season as a teenager, including one against Spurs, and he only turned 20 last month. The north London club have been linked with continuing their £237million transfer spend so far this summer with a big bid for the £85million-plus rated Kroupi.
Most of the Premier League's big clubs, including champions Arsenal, hold an interest in Kroupi, as do some of Europe's top sides, and Bournemouth are currently putting a 'not for sale' sign on the attacker.
Former Manchester United striker Saha believes his young compatriot has plenty of talent but would not arrive as the ready-made star for Roberto De Zerbi that such a huge transfer would normally guarantee.
"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.
"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 said in association with LiveFootballTickets.
"I’m not saying he can’t do it, but he had his minutes managed really well by Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth last season. Spurs have had plenty of attackers of a similar brand to Kroupi Jr over the past few years. Strikers who are quick, versatile, can link up play and score a few goals. But what they need now is a striker to come in, gel with their current wingers and new signings who will score 20 or 25 goals in the Premier League next season, and I’m not sure Kroupi Jr is that guy. If he was that player, he’d have made the France squad for the World Cup this summer."
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Saha is expecting big things though from Tottenham after their midfield signings of £100million Sandro Tonali and £85million Mateus Fernandes from Newcastle and West Ham respectively.
"I think a midfield of Tonali, Fernandes and James Maddison will be fantastic next season, one of the best in the league. Over the past few years, Spurs have always had players of good quality but have struggled getting them to gel for a full 90 minutes of a football game," said the Frenchman.
"Spurs need to ensure they are maintaining tempo and quality throughout games. They can’t let teams overwhelm them as easily as they did last season. Spurs have signed Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, which will help them with this. However, I still feel like they need more signings in forward areas if they are going to be competing for trophies next season."
He added: "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. They are making a statement, spending hundreds of millions and signing good free agents, they are assembling a team to compete with the very best in world football.
"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."