The Frenchman scored three goals in five games across the month, as Bournemouth registered three wins, one draw and one defeat in the opening month of the year.
2026 began with a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal, but Kroupi, who came off the bench with 16 minutes to play at the Vitality, gave the hosts hope with a stunning strike from range for his first goal of the year.
The 19-year-old made it two goals in two games as he finished from close range from a Marcos Senesi cut back at home against Spurs, as Bournemouth registered their first win since the end of October and bid farewell to Antoine Semenyo, the Ghanaian scoring a stoppage time winner before his move to Manchester City.
Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates scoring their side’s first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)
Kroupi started that game in a slightly deeper position in behind Evanilson, where he has played the past four.
While he did not find the back of the net in the Brighton draw or the Liverpool victory, he scored a superb half-volley to hand the Cherries the lead away at Wolves last weekend.
Kroupi is up against Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, West Ham’s Crysensio Summerville, Brentford’s Igor Thiago, Fulham’s Harry Wilson and Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz for the award.
To vote for Kroupi, visit the Premier League website.