Eli Junior Kroupi has been handed his first senior France call-up, but the Bournemouth forward’s international breakthrough also serves as a reminder of what Mathys Tel might have achieved this month had injury not intervened.

Kroupi was drafted into Zinedine Zidane’s squad after Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram withdrew with a hamstring problem.

The 20-year-old replaces Thuram for France’s Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey, earning his first invitation to the senior national team, as reported by Reuters.

It is a significant moment for a player who has already attracted attention from several Premier League clubs.

Tottenham were among the sides reported to have pursued Kroupi before his move was put on hold by injury, according to Flashscore’s report on the forward’s potential 2027 transfer battle.

Tel had been in Zidane’s thinking

There is a Spurs connection to this France call-up beyond Kroupi’s reported transfer links, too.

Tel was also being considered by Zidane ahead of the November international break.

That was recognition of the progress Tel had made after a difficult start to life in north London.

His recent performances, including an eye-catching goal against Chelsea, had strengthened his case for a first senior cap.

He had also impressed for France’s Under-21s, scoring a hat-trick against Switzerland last month.

Unfortunately for Tel, injury has ruled him out of contention at precisely the wrong time.

There is no guarantee he would have made Zidane’s final squad, but the opportunity was there, and Kroupi’s call-up underlines how close the Spurs forward may have been to taking the next step internationally.