Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker hailed AFC Bournemouth’s “incredible” season on The Rest Is Football, praising their Champions League push, fearless recruitment and teenage sensation Junior Kroupi, who is already being tipped for the very top after a stunning breakthrough campaign.
Over the last 24 hours, Premier League pundits have been left stunned by AFC Bournemouth's remarkable rise this season, with Alan Shearer admitting the idea of Champions League football on the south coast still feels "crazy".
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, the former Newcastle striker could barely contain his admiration for Andoni Iraola’s side as Bournemouth continue their push towards a historic European qualification.
"It’s incredible isn’t it?" Shearer said. "There’s a real proper chance now that they could be playing in the Champions League. I mean, even just saying ‘Bournemouth and Champions League’… it just seems crazy."
Shearer continued: "But they’re unbelievable. What a season they’re having. Really, really good team."
Action Images via Reuters/Matthew ChildsGary Lineker highlighted Bournemouth’s recruitment strategy as a major reason behind their success, particularly their willingness to trust young players in high-pressure Premier League matches.
"Very well coached," Lineker said. "Obviously, they’re very good at finding players in a recruitment sense. Young players as well."
He pointed to an extraordinary statistic which underlines Bournemouth’s youthful brilliance this campaign.
"Only Liverpool in 1994/95 and Liverpool in two other years as well have scored more goals via teenagers in a Premier League season than Bournemouth this term. They’ve got 17, which speaks volumes for their recruitment and the bravery and confidence to put youngsters in."
At the centre of that excitement is teenage French striker Eli Junior Kroupi, who has quickly emerged as one of the Premier League’s most talked-about young forwards.
When Micah Richards asked Shearer about the 19-year-old, the former England captain was emphatic in his praise.
"I do," Shearer said when asked if he liked Kroupi. "I think he’s got huge potential. Yeah, huge potential."
Lineker believes Bournemouth may soon struggle to keep hold of the striker if his development continues at the current rate.
"Somebody might have a pop at him. Take a little punt," Lineker said. "There are not many around that are that promising. So if you can get one early, it wouldn’t surprise me if there are big offers for him."
Shearer agreed, adding: "Me too. I think he’s got potential to go right to the top."
Kroupi’s numbers already back up the hype. The teenager has scored 12 Premier League goals in his debut campaign, becoming the first teenager since Robbie Fowler in 1993/94 to hit that tally in a first Premier League season. He is averaging a goal every 121 minutes, with only Erling Haaland boasting a better strike rate in the division.
The Frenchman’s rise also prompted a wider discussion about the incredible conveyor belt of talent coming out of France.
"Another bloody French player as well," Lineker joked. "My goodness, they produce some talent, don’t they?"
REUTERS/Ian Walton Richards then reeled off a list of elite French stars including Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué, questioning why France continues to produce so many technically gifted young players.
"It’s not fair though, is it?" Richards laughed.
As Bournemouth continue their astonishing campaign, Lineker revealed another statistic that perfectly sums up their consistency this season.
"They’ve got the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League," he said. "Sixteen games of any team this season."
To which Shearer simply replied: "Unbelievable, isn’t it? Incredible."