Junior Kroupi Injury: Best Bournemouth FPL Alternatives

Updated: 31 July 2026

AFC Bournemouth have confirmed that Junior Kroupi underwent successful surgery after suffering a foot injury during a pre-season training session in Austria.

The club has not published an exact return date. It has only confirmed that the 20-year-old will face a spell on the sidelines and begin rehabilitation.

That makes Kroupi unavailable for Gameweek 1 planning and removes a £7.5m midfielder who scored 13 Premier League goals last season.

What Kroupi's injury changes

Kroupi frequently played as a number 10 behind Evanilson in 2025/26.

His absence opens attacking minutes rather than guaranteeing one direct replacement.

Use the OneFPL Player Lab for the latest official prices and availability.

Rayan: the highest-upside alternative

Rayan joined Bournemouth in January and quickly showed that he can play from the right or through the middle.

His profile is different from Kroupi's. Rayan is a more direct runner and powerful finisher, while Kroupi often linked midfield with the striker.

Why Rayan benefits

• More responsibility in the final third
• Potential to move closer to Evanilson
• Proven Premier League goals
• Midfielder classification
• Only £6.5m

Why managers should still wait

Bournemouth start away to Manchester City. Rayan has also attracted transfer speculation, and the final shape under Marco Rose is not yet settled.

OneFPL verdict: Best upside, but not an automatic Gameweek 1 starter.

Marcus Tavernier: safest creative route

Tavernier costs £6.0m and has a history of corners, free kicks and occasional penalties.

Kroupi's absence may increase his responsibility between the lines or from set pieces.

The concern is that Tavernier can also play deeper. A secure 90-minute role is useful, but Fantasy value depends on how close he operates to the box.

What to monitor

• Whether he starts as a number 10
• Corner and free-kick responsibility
• Penalty hierarchy
• Minutes with the first-choice front line
• Whether Alex Scott plays ahead of or behind him

OneFPL verdict: Safest minutes candidate, moderate ceiling.

Justin Kluivert: central role and penalties

Kluivert remains one of Bournemouth's most flexible attackers.

He can play from the left, as a number 10 or close to the striker. He also has previous penalty involvement.

Kroupi's absence can improve his route to a central role, but his availability and pre-season minutes must be checked.

OneFPL verdict: Strong watchlist option when fit and starting centrally.

Alex Scott: tactical winner rather than immediate FPL pick

Scott may receive more responsibility in midfield.

His creativity can help replace Kroupi's link play, but he is not automatically a like-for-like Fantasy replacement. Marco Rose may use him as a deeper number eight.

OneFPL verdict: Important for Bournemouth, but role must become more attacking before selection.

Evanilson: the clearest forward

Evanilson remains Bournemouth's established central striker and costs £6.0m.

Kroupi's injury can lead to:

• More attacks ending with Evanilson
• Greater creative responsibility from Tavernier and Rayan
• More secure central-forward minutes
• Possible changes to penalty responsibility

The opening schedule is the problem. Bournemouth begin at Manchester City and have a difficult early run.

Check their complete schedule through OneFPL Fixtures.

OneFPL verdict: Secure role, poor Gameweek 1 fixture.

Who takes Kroupi's penalties and set pieces?

Kroupi was listed among Bournemouth's possible penalty takers.

The current hierarchy must be confirmed through friendlies.

Do not assume one friendly penalty permanently settles the order.

Formation possibilities

4-2-3-1

Rayan and another winger support a number 10 behind Evanilson.

This shape gives Tavernier, Kluivert or Scott the clearest route to Kroupi's central role.

4-2-2-2

Two narrow attacking midfielders support two forwards.

This could bring Rayan closer to goal and create minutes for Alvaro Rodriguez or Enes Unal.

4-3-3

Three central midfielders support two wingers and Evanilson.

This may reduce the direct value of the number 10 replacement.

Best Bournemouth option by objective

OneFPL verdict

Kroupi should be removed from every opening draft.

Rayan is the most exciting beneficiary, Tavernier may receive additional creative and set-piece responsibility, and Evanilson offers the safest central role.

However, Bournemouth's Gameweek 1 trip to Manchester City means managers can monitor the new structure rather than forcing a replacement into the opening team.

Use the OneFPL Planner to prepare a later transfer when Bournemouth's fixtures improve.

FAQ

How long is Kroupi out?

Bournemouth have not announced an exact return date. They have confirmed surgery and a spell on the sidelines.

Who directly replaces Kroupi?

There is no confirmed direct replacement. Tavernier, Kluivert, Scott and Rayan could share the central attacking responsibility.

Is Rayan the best Bournemouth FPL pick?

He has the highest attacking upside, while Evanilson currently offers the clearer central role.

Should I own a Bournemouth attacker in Gameweek 1?

It is not necessary because they start away to Manchester City.

Official source

• Bournemouth confirm Kroupi surgery

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